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THE 



3i^0c uf ^irtJannal); 



COMBINED AMERICAN AND 
FRENCH FORCES, 



UNDER THE COMMAND OF 



Gen. Lincoln, and the Count d'Estaing, 



Autumn of 1779. 




ALBANY : 

J. MUNSELL, 82 state STREET. 

1866. 



^4y 



Nc.-'e- 



fLlO 





PREFACE. 




^£^ge^^ HE unfortunate IlTue of the 
Enterprife undertaken in 1779, 
to recover PolTeffion of the 
Capital of Georgia, has left a 
gloomy Page in our Revolutionary Hiftory, 
not only from its Failure as a military 
Movement, but from the melancholy Cafu- 
alty which deprived our Army of one of its 
moft talented Leaders, the Polifli General 
Count Pulaiki. 

The Depreffion of the Patriots of the 
Revolution by thefe Reverfes, was deftined 
to be ftill further increafed by the fubfe- 
quent Succefs of the Britifh Arms in the 
Southern Colonies, while it afforded Caufe 
of Exultation among the Loyalifts, who 
confidently predided the fpeedy and effed- 



4- Preface. 

ual Reftoration of the Royal Authority 
throughout the revolted Colonies. 

The Columns of the Royal Gazette bear 
Witnefs to the Strength of this Hope, while 
they at the fame Time exhibit the Feeling 
of Bitternefs which they cheriihed towards 
thofe who had begun the War, and in which 
the Infurgents had already achieved Succefs 
on many Occafions. 

The following Pages prefent the Accounts 
that were publifhed in Mr. Rivington's 
Paper, upon the Subjed: of the unfuccefsful 
Attempt of the combined American and 
French Forces to capture the City of 
Savannah, in the Months of September and 
October, 1779. 

According to the Plan propofed for this 
Series, we have briefly ftated the Circum- 
ftances which preceded and attended the 
Event, before prefenting the Documents 
that embrace the Details; and have placed 
in the Appendix, fuch other Statements and 
Papers, as would more fully prefent the 
Subjed: in all its Bearings, and under every 
Point of View. 




INTRODUCTION. 



'TpHE Manifeftations of Sympathy with 
^ the Revolution in the Colony of Geor- 
gia, although perhaps not lefs earneft, was 
lefs aggreffive than in the North, and did 
not attract the Notice of the Britifli Admin- 
iftration as requiring particular Effort on 
their Part in the earlier Years of the War. 
Although the Patriots of that Se(5tion en- 
tered into the Meafures aiming at a Reform 
in Government with great Zeal, it was 
doubtlefs believed that when once the 
Armies in the North were vanquished, the 
whole Country would acquiefce in the 
Neceffity of Obedience to the Britifh Rule, 
without the Trouble of fending coftly 
Armies and Navies to receive the Submif- 
fion of the late Infurgents. 
B 



6 IntrodiiEiion. 

The Number of Sympathizers with the 
Britifh Caufe, was relatively much larger 
than in the northern Colonies, and in Pro- 
portion as this Caufe prevailed, large Num- 
bers of the Colonifts lent their willing Aid 
in its Support, or paffively yielded their 
Acquiefcence to its Terms. 

There were however, many earneft and 
vigorous Advocates of the Revolution, efpe- 
cially in the Upper Country, and the par- 
tizan Warfere which they continued t^ 
maintain long after the Cities on the Coaft 
had been apparently fettled as permanent 
Dependencies of the Crown, furnifhes fome 
of the moft brilliant PalTages in our Revo- 
lutionary Hiftory. The Conteft became in 
fome Parts a War of Extermination, and it 
appeared as if one Party muft be entirely 
rooted out, before the other could live in 
Peace. 

The Events of the War having rtiown 
that the Prefence of a Britifli Army was 
neceffary to the Maintenance of the Royal 
Caufe, and probably in the Expedation that 



IntroduSiion, 7 

with this Encouragement, the loyal Portions 
of the Population, would venture to Rally 
in Force around the Britifli Standard, an 
Expedition was fitted out from New York 
towards the Clofe of 1779, to eftablifh 
themfelves at Savannah. 

The American Force at that Place, then 
confifted of between fix and i^y^w hundred 
Continentals, and a few hundred Militia 
under the Command of Major General Ro- 
bert Howe. 

The official Report of the Britifh Officer 
who led this Expedition is embraced in the 
following Letter addretfed to Lord George 
Germain, dated "Savannah, January 16, 
1779:*' 

" In confequence of Orders from Sir 
Henry Clinton, to proceed to Georgia with 
his Majefty's 71ft Regiment of Foot, two 
Battalions of Heflians, four Battalions of 
Provincials, and a Detachment of the Royal 
Artillery, Colonel Archibald Campbell em- 
barked at Sandy Hook on the 27th Novem- 
ber, 1778, and arrived off the Illand of 



8 IntroduEiion. 

Tybee on the 23d December, efcorted by a 
Squadron under the Command of Commo- 
dore Parker. On the 24th, the greateft 
Part of the Tranfports got over the Bar and 
anchored in Savannah River. On the 27th, 
the Balance of Commodore Parker's Fleet 
joined him. During the Time occupied in 
bringing the laft Divilion of the Fleet over 
the Bar, from the Provincial Battalions, 
were formed two Corps of Light Infantry, 
the one to be attached to Sir James Baird's 
light Company of the 71ft Highlanders, 
the other to Captain Cameron's Company 
of the fame Regiment. Having no Intelli- 
gence that could be depended upon with 
refped; to the military Force of Georgia, or 
the Difpolitions formed for its Defence, Sir 
James Baird's Highland Company of Light 
Infantry, in two Flat-boats, with Lieuten- 
ant Clarke, of the Navy, was difpatched in 
the Night of the 25th, to feize any of the 
Inhabitants they might find on the Banks 
of Wilmington River. Two Men were 
taken, from whom the Enemy derived In- 



Introdu&ion, c 

formation which they confidered Satisfac- 
tory, and induced them to refolve to land 
the Troops the next Evening at the Planta- 
tion of Mr. Gerredeaux, twelve Miles fur- 
ther up the River, and two Miles from the 
Town of Savannah. The Vigilant Man- 
of-war, with the Comet Galley, the Keppel 
armed Brig, and the Greenwich armed 
Sloop, followed by the Tranfports in three 
Divifions, in the Order eftabliflied for a 
Defcent, proceeded up the River with the 
Tide, at Noon. About four o'clock in the 
Evening the Vigilant opened the Reach to 
Gerredeaux's Plantation, and was cannon- 
aded by two American Galleys. 

" The Tide and Evening being too far 
fpent, and many of the Tranfports having 
been grounded at the Diftance of five or fix 
Miles below Gerredeaux's Plantation, the 
Defcent was delayed until next Morning. 
The firft Divifion of Troops, confining of 
all the Light Infantry of the Army, the 
New York Volunteers, and the firft Battal- 
ion of the 71ft, under the Command of 



lo IntroduSiion, 

Lieutenant-Colonel Maitland, were landed 
at Break of Day on the River Dam in front 
of Gerredeaux's, from whence a narrow 
Caufeway of iix hundred Yards in Length, 
with a Ditch on each Side, led through a 
Swamp direcftly for Gerredeaux's Houfe, 
which flood upon a Bluff about thirty Feet 
high. The Light Infantry, under Captain 
Cameron, having firfl reached the Shore, 
were formed, and led brifkly forward to the 
Bluff, where a Body of fifty Americans were 
pofted, and from whom they received a 
fmart Fire of Mufketry ; but the Enemy 
rufhed forward and drove them into the 
Woods, and fecured a Landing for the Reft 
of the Army. Captain Cameron and two 
Highlanders were killed, and five High- 
landers wounded. The Army of Major- 
General Howe was drawn up about Half a 
Mile Eaft of the City of Savannah, with 
feveral Pieces of Cannon in their Front. 
The firft Divifion of Troops, together with 
one Company of the fecond Battalion of 
the 71ft, the firft Battalion of Delancey's, 



IntrodiiSiion. 



II 



the Well worth, and a Part of the Wilfen- 
bach Regiment of Heffians being landed, 
Colonel Campbell went in Purfuit of the 
Americans, leaving a confiderable Force to 
cover the Landing-place. On the Troops 
reaching the Road leading to Savannah, the 
Divilion of the Willenbach Regiment was 
ported on the Croll- roads, to fecure the Rear 
of the Army ; a thick Swamp covered the 
Left of the Line of March, and the Light 
Infantry, with the Flankers of each Corps, 
effectually covered the cultivated Plantations 
on the Right. The Troops reached the 
open Country, near Tattnall's Plantation, 
before three o'Clock in the Afternoon, and 
halted on the Road about two hundred 
Paces fhort of the Gate leading to Governor 
Wright's Plantation. 

" The American Army were drawn up 
acrofs the Road, at the Diftance of eight 
hundred Yards from this Gateway. One- 
half, confifting of Thompfon's and Huger's 
Regiments of Carolina Troops, were formed 



12 Introdu&ion. 

under Col. Huger, with their Left oblique 
to the Road leading to Savannah, their 
Right to a wooded Swamp covered by the 
Houfes of Tatnall's Plantation, in which 
fome Riflemen had been placed. The other 
Half of the American Army, coniifting of 
Part of the firft, fecond, thirds and fourth 
Battalions of the Georgia Brigade, was 
formed under Colonel Elbert, with their 
Right to the Road, and their Left to the 
Rice Swamps of Governor Wright's Plant- 
ation, with the Fort of Savannah Bluff 
behind their left Wing, in the Style of a 
fecond Flank ; the Town of Savannah, 
round which were the Remains of an old 
Line of Intrenchment, covered their Rear. 
One Piece of Cannon was planted on tlie 
Right of their Line, about one hundred 
Paces in Front of the Traverfe. At a Spot 
between two Swamps a Trench was cut 
acrofs the Road ; and about one hundred 
Yards in Front of this Trench a marihy 
Rivulet run almoft parallel the whole Ex- 



IntroduBion . 1 3 

tent of their Front ; the Bridge of which 
was burnt down, to interrupt the PalTage 
and retard the Progrefs of the Englifh. 

Colonel Campbell difcovered, from the 
Movements of the Americans, that they 
expelled an Attack upon their Left, and he 
was defirous of confirming that Expectation. 
Having fallen in with a Negro named 
Quamino Dolly, Colonel Campbell induced 
him, by a fmall Reward, to condudl the 
Troops, by a pri*^ate Path through the 
Swamp, upon the Right of the Americans. 
Colonel Campbell ordered the firft Battalion 
of the 7 1 ft to form on his Right of the 
Road, and move up to the Rear of the 
Light Infantry, whilft he drew off that 
Corps to the Right, as if he meant to extend 
his Front to that Quarter, where a Fall of 
Ground favoured the Concealment of this 
Manoeuvre. Sir James Baird had Orders 
to convey the Light Infantry to the hollow 
Ground quite to the Rear, and penetrate 
the Swamp upon the Enemy's Left, with a 
C 



1 4 Introdu Eiion . 

View to get round, by the new Barracks, 
into the Rear of the Enemy's right Flank. 
The New York Volunteers, under Colonel 
Tumbull, were ordered to fupport him. 
During the Courfe of this Movement, the 
Enemy's Artillery were formed in a Field 
on their Left of the Road, concealed from 
the Americans by a Swell of Ground in 
Front, to which Colonel Campbell meant 
to run them up for Adlion, when the Signal 
was made to engage, and from whence he 
could either bear advantageoufly upon the 
Right of the American Line as it was then 
formed, or cannonade any Body of Troops 
in Flank which they might detach into the 
Wood to retard the Progrefs of the Light 
Infantry. Campbell then commenced the 
Attack, and the American Line was broken. 
About one hundred of the Georgia Militia, 
under the Command of Colonel George 
Walton, pofted at the new Barracks with 
fome Pieces of Cannon, were attacked by 
Sir James Baird, and after fighting bravely, 
were compelled to retreat. The General 



IntroduEiion, 1 5 

(Howe) ordered a general Retreat, which 
was made in great Confufion." 

In the Capture of Savannah, the Ameri- 
cans loft about one hundred killed on the 
Field, or drowned in endeavoring to re- 
treat, and thirty-eight Officers and four 
hundred and fifteen Privates were captured. 
All their Cannon, Munitions and Provi- 
fions fell into the Enemy's Hands, with but 
the moderate Lofs on their Part of feven 
killed and nineteen wounded. No Blame 
was, under the Circumftances, attached to 
General Howe, who was fubfequently hon- 
orably acquitted by a Court of Inquiry.' 

A conciliatory Policy was adopted by the 
Viaors, which attraded Multitudes of the 
Inhabitants to the Royal Caufe. A Series 
of fuccefsful Movements againft Sunbury, 
Augufta and other Points, feemed to decide 
the future Deftinies of this Colony, and 

1 The Lofles of the Americans befides in Men, were, one Stand 
of Colours, forty-eight Cannon, twenty-three Mortars, ninety- 
four Barrels of Powder, and the Fort with all its Stores. Savan- 
nah was then the Capital of Georgia. 



1 6 Introdu&ion. 

called the Attention of Congrefs to the 
Neceffity of making a decifive Effort to re- 
gain their LolTes in the Southern Depart- 
ment. 

Charlefton was at this Time an important 
Poft ftill in .the Hands of the Americans, 
but was dependent upon the civil Authori- 
ties for its Supplies, and EmbarralTments 
exifted in the local Adminiftration which 
threatened the mofl: ferious Confequences. 

In the preceding September, a Change 
had been ordered in the Command of the 
Southern Department, by which General 
Benjamin Lincoln of MalTachufetts, was 
affigned to that Poft, and General Howe 
was directed to report to General Wafhing- 
ton. Under this Arrangement Gen. Lin- 
coln had proceeded to Charlefton, from 
whence, upon learning of the Entrance of 
the Britifti Fleet into the Savannah River, he 
marched to the Relief of Gen. Howe, but 
upon arriving at a Point on the north Side of 
the River he learned of the Difafter which 



IntroduEiion, 17 

had happened below, and was foon joined 
by the Remnant of the defeated Army. 

The Savannah River now remained for 
fome Time the dividing Line between the 
two Forces. The whole of Georgia was 
conlidered fo far under Britifh Authority, 
that a civil Government was eftablifhed, and 
executive and judicial Officers appointed. 

The Frontiers were however not allowed 
to remain quiet, and the early Months of 
1779 were fpent in alternate aggreffive and 
defenlive Movements by General Lincoln 
and General Prevoft,' in the Courfe of 
which, the former undertook to eftablifh 
himfelf at Augufta, while the latter attacked 
Charlefton from the land Side, but without 
Succefs. After a Series of Operations upon 
the Iflands on the Coaft the Britifli Army 
returned to Savannah and St. Auguftine, 

1 Major General AugulHne Prevoil was then in Command. 
His Rank dated from May 25, 1772. He failed for England in 
the Brig 'Three Friends, foon after the Siege of Savannah was 
raifed. He was a Native of Switzerland, and died in 1 786. His 
Son George was Governor in Canada in the War of 1812-15. 



1 8 IntroduEiion. 

after eftablifhing a Poft on the Illand con- 
tiguous to Port Royal and St. Helena, and 
at various Points in the Interior, while 
General Lincoln with about eight hundred 
Men retired to Sheldon, near Beaufort, to 
prepare for the next Campaign, which it 
was fuppofed would open in Od:ober. 

The French, then at War with the Eng- 
lifli, had at this Time a large Fleet in the 
Weft Indies. The Britifh Forces had cap- 
tured St. Lucia, and the French had re- 
duced St. Vincents and Grenada, and at 
about the Time when the latter Event oc- 
curred, the Count d'Eftaing, who com- 
manded the French Fleet, received fuch 
large Reinforcements as to give him for the 
Time being a decided naval Superiority. 

A Reprefentation was accordingly made 
to the Count d'Eftaing, by Governor Rut- 
ledge of South Carolina and General Lin- 
coln, in Concert with M. Plombard, French 
Conful at Charlefton, which induced him 
to undertake with the Continental Forces 
under General Lincoln, a combined Attack 



IntroduBion. 19 

upon their common Enemy, the EngUfh, 
at Savannah. 

The Propofition being favorably received, 
the Count, in Conformity to his Inftruc- 
tions to aid the Americans whenever a 
fair Opportunity {hould offer, prepared to 
undertake the Enterprife. He accordingly 
left Cape Fran9ois, with twenty-two Ships 
of the Line and eleven Frigates, having on 
board fix thoufand land Troops and appeared 
at the Mouth of the Savannah River, before 
the Englifh had got Intelligence of the 
Plan, and at a Time when they were leaft 
expediing a hoftile Vifit. 

The firft Intimation of the Approach of 
the French Fleet was received by General 
Prevoft on the third of September. He 
haftened to call in the Forces under Colonel 
Maitland at Port Royal, and feveral Detach- 
ments in the Interior for the Defence of 
the Capital. 

General Lincoln upon being notified of 
thefe Movements, marched to cooperate 
with the Forces under his Command, but 



2 o IntroduEiion . 

his Route was greatly delayed by the De- 
ftrudlion of Bridges and the Want of Tranf- 
portation, and he did not efFed: a Jundtion 
until the fixteenth. 

The Count d'Eftaing had before this, de- 
manded a Surrender of the Town, but had 
ulnwifely allowed the Correfpondence which 
enfued to delay his own Operations, while 
this Interval was actively improved by Gen- 
eral Prevoft in preparing for a vigorous 
Defence. One can fcarcely read this Cor- 
refpondence without being convinced, that 
it was protrad:ed by the Britifh as long as 
poffible to await the Arrival of their Rein- 
forcements. Although the French held the 
main Channel of the River, there were ftill 
feveral Routes behind the Iflands which 
they could not blockade. The Englifh on 
their Part, funk VelTels in the River, to 
hinder the PalTage of the French Fleet, and 
called into Service all the Labor that could 
be reached, to ere(5t Fortifications before 
the Town. 



IntroduSiion, 2 1 

The Siege began on the 23d of Septem- 
ber and on the ift of October he had ad- 
vanced within three hundred Yards of the 
Britifh Works, Batteries were planted, and 
a heavy Cannonade opened upon the Britifh 
Works and the Town. The Profecution 
of the Siege, by regular Approaches, was a 
Work of Time, and the Seafon was getting 
late and dangerous for the Fleet upon an 
infecure Coaft and at a Period when Tem- 
pefts become frequent and deftrudiive. 

It was therefore refolved to attempt to 
carry the Place by AlTault. On the 9th of 
October an Attack was made along a hollow 
Way on the Left of the allied Army which 
covered the Advance, to within fifty Yards 
of the main Works, while Feints were made 
by the Militia at other Points. The AlTault 
was made in three Columns by about three 
thoufand five hundred French and one 
thoufand Americans, including Continent- 
als and Charlefton Militia. 

Thefe Columns were met by a more 
D 



2 2 IntrodiiEiion . 

vigorous Refiftance than was expelled, yet 
they prelTed forward with Ardor, palTed 
through the Abatis and Ditch and mounted 
the Parapet, where both French and Ameri- 
cans, planted their Standards, but they were 
finally compelled to Retreat with heavy 
Lofs. The Count Pulafki, while charging 
at the Head of about two hundred Horfe, 
in the Rear, received a fevere Wound of 
which he died a few Days after. The 
Count d'Eftaing and Major General De 
Montange were alfo wounded. 

After this Repulfe, the Count d'Eftaing 
refolved to raife the Siege. The Remon- 
ftrances of General Lincoln proved unavail- 
ing, and the Removal of the heavy Ord- 
nance and Stores was commenced. The 
American Army recrofled the Savannah at 
Zubly's Ferry, and took Poft again in South 
Carolina, while the French Fleet pafTed 
out of the River and difappeared from the 
Coaft. 

A violent Gale difperfed this Fleet, fo 
that though the Count had directed feven 



IntroduEiion. 2 



:> 



Sail to repair to the Chefapeake, but one 
VefTel was able to execute the Order. A 
Portion returned to the Weft Indies and 
the Rell to France. 

The City of Savannah had at this Time 
about four hundred and thirty Houfes, and 
it fufFered confiderably from the Siege. 
The Strength of the Englifh Garrifon was 
eftimated at fomewhat lefs than three thou- 
fand Men, and the Succefs with which they 
held the Place refled:ed great Credit upon 
their Valor and Spirit, while the Refult 
deprelTed the Spirits of the American Army 
in a correfponding Degree. The high 
Expectations of Vidiory which had brought 
the Militia into the Field, were fuddenly 
checked, and the Affairs of the Southern 
States wore a more gloomy Afpe6t than at 
any former Period.' 

Colonel Maitland whole opportune Ar- 
rival probably decided the Fate of Savannah 
upon this Occafion, fhared the Labors and 

1 MarJhalPs Wnjhington, iv, 1 04. 



24 



IntroduEtion. 



Perils of the Siege, but foon after lickened 
and died of a Fever. 

The Englilh were not again difturbed 
in their Occupation of Savannah until they 
voluntarily v^ithdrew on the iith of July, 
1782, leaving the Town in PofTeffion to 
the American Authorities, and the Colony 
to its future Deftiny as one of the States of 
the new Republic. 





JOURNAL 



SIEGE OF SAVANNAH 



[From Rivington's Royal Gazette, No. 334, Dec. 11, 1779.] 

By the Brig Elphingfton, Capt. Kennedy, 
who arrived here this Day, in fourteen Days 
from Georgia, we have received the follow- 
ing Advices : 

Savannah, November i8. 
^N Friday, the third of September 
laft, feveral large Ships were feen 
off our Bar, and a Boat being fent 
out by Captain Brown, of his Majefty's 
Ship Rofe,"^ with a Lieutenant on Board, 
they were plainly difcovered to be French. 

1 This Veffel was funk in the Channel, September 20th, to 
obftrud the River againll the Approach of the French Fleet. 




26 journal of the 

Monday Evening the 6th, a Sloop called 
the General Mathews, came up to Town. 
On the Thurfday before, fhe was taken to 
the northward of the Bar, by a French 74 
Ship. They took all the People out of her, 
except one Man, and put five Frenchmen 
in their Room. In the Gale of Wind that 
Night, fhe parted from the Man-of-war, 
and on Saturday Morning, arriving off Ty- 
bee, the Englifhman told the Frenchmen 
that it was the Entrance to Charleftown, 
and by that Means foon brought the Sloop 
to Anchor in the Mouth of the River. 
After the Arrival of this Veffel, it was faid, 
that the Fleet confifted of the Magnijique, 
of 74, and SphinXy of 64 Guns, (Part of a 
Reinforcement of four Line-of-battle Ships 
lately fent from France to join Count d'- 
Eftaing in the Weft Indies), two Frigates, 
a Schooner, and a Cutter, all from Cape 
Fran9ois, bound to Bofton for Mafts and 
Spars. 

On Tuefday the 7th, a Number of Vef- 
fels appeared off Tybee Bar, but went off 



Siege of Savannah. 27 

again, and next Day, about 51 were reck- 
oned off Waffaw, 25 of which were faid to 
be Ships of the Line. 

Thurfday Morning the 9th, they were 
all off Tybee again, and fome of them fired 
at Captain McDonough's Packetboat from 
St. Auguftine, attempting to get in, which 
fell into their Hands. That Evening, four 
Frigates got over the Bar, and came to an 
anchor at Tybee, and in the Night, or early 
next Morning, landed a Number of Men 
on the Ifland. His Majefty's Ship Savan- 
nah, Comet Galley and fome other Veffels, 
were ordered up the River to ftrengthen 
the Garrifon on the French Veffels getting 
over the Bar. 

The French who had landed reembarked 
on Friday the loth, and all the Fleet, 
except the Frigates at Anchor at Tybee, 
fteered for the Southward. Next Day they 
appeared again off the Bar. 

It feemed now evident, that they intend- 
ed a ferious Attack on this Place. We had 



28 yournal of the 

for fome Time been repairing the four old 
Redoubts, and making fome additional 
Works, having been threatened with an 
Attack from the Rebels. But now the 
greateft and moft extraordinary Exertions 
were made by Captain Moncrief,' Chief 
Engineer, and which he continued during 
the whole Siege with unremitting Ardor. 
Betwixt two and three hundred Negroes 
were ordered in by the Governor^ and 
Council, immediately fet to Work, and 
thirteen good Redoubts were foon erefted 
round the Town, and 15 Gun Batteries 
containing about 76 Pieces of Cannon, 18, 
9 and 6 Pounders, were raifed between the 
Redoubts. Thefe Batteries were manned 
by the Sailors of the Ships of War, Tranf- 
ports and Merchantmen, in the River, be- 
fides which, there were feveral Four-pound- 

^ Capt. George MoncriefFc of the 8ift Regiment. His Rank 
dated December 23, 1777. 

2 Sir James Wright, Baronet, was at this Time Governor of 
Georgia. 



Siege of Savannah. 29 

ers, properly placed without the Batteries, 
and five Field Pieces. 

On Sunday Night the nth, the French 
began to land their Troops at Bewlie, about 
14 Miles from Town. 

Thurfday the i6th, in the Forenoon, a 
Letter was fent into Camp by Count d'Ef- 
taing, the French General, DEMANDING 
A SURRENDER OF THE TOWN TO 
THE FRENCH KING.^ He was then 
within three Miles of this Place. He boaft- 
ed in his Letter, of his formidable Arma- 
ment by Sea and Land ; the great Feats he 
had performed with it in the Weft Indies, 
and mentioned how much Lord McCartney 
had fuffered by not capitulating at Grenada, 
and that it was in vain to think of refilling 
his Force, warned General Prevoft, againfl 
the Confequences attending the Place being 
taken by Storm, and hinted that he would 
be anfwerable for the Lives of the People 
that might be Loft, &c. The Anfwer re- 

1 This Correfpondcnce is given on a fubfequent Page. 

E 



30 Journal of the 

turned to this Letter by General Prevoft, 
was to the following Purport : That he 
hoped the Count had a better Opinion of 
him, and the Britifli Army he had the 
Honor to Command, than to exped; they 
would furrender the Town, &c. on a gene- 
ral Summons, without knowing on what 
fpecific Terms or Conditions : That if he 
had any Terms to offer, he delired they 
might be made known ; and mentioned his 
having communicated the Contents of his 
Letter to the civil Governor. 

To this the Count replied, that it was the 
Part of the Befieged, and not the Beliegers, 
to propofe Terms : Upon which it was lig- 
nified to him, that it was a Matter of great 
Confequence, and that there were many 
different Interefts to be adjufted and fettled, 
and therefore it was deiired, that twenty- 
four Hours might be allowed to confider it. 
The Count accordingly agreed to wait till 
the firing of the Evening Gun' on Friday 

' An Hour before Sunfet. 



Siege of Savannah. 3 1 

the 17th. In the Afternoon of the i6th, a 
Council of War was held in the General's 
Tent, confifting of Field Officers, (the Gov- 
ernor and Lieutenant Governor being pre- 
fent), to confider of a final Anfwer to be 
fent to the Count, when it was the unani- 
mous Opinion of the whole Members : — 
That the Town fhould be defended to the 
laft Extremity, and that this Refolution 
(hould be made known to the French 
General. 

This Day, to the inexpreffible Joy of the 
whole Army, the Honourable Colonel Mait- 
land, with Part of the Troops under his 
Command, arrived here from Beaufort, and 
on Friday the 17th, fome more of them 
came up to Town. The Artillerymen of the 
Heffian Corps, Heffian Convalefcents and 
about 170 of the 71ft Regiment, were left 
with the Vigilant, armed Ship, three Gal- 
lies, and three Tranfports, which were 
obliged to remain at Dafufkee, with all the 
Artillery, Stores, Baggage, &c., fome of the 
French Frigates having got a confiderable 



3 2 Journal of the 

Way up the River. The whole of the 
Troops which arrived from Beaufort, 
amounted to about 800 Men. They were 
piloted up through the Marfhes, and 
through Dafufkee Cut-ofF, where they were 
often up to the Middle in Mud and Water, 
and were brought up the River in fmall 
Boats. 

On the Evening of Sunday the 19th, two 
French Frigates appeared in Sight of the 
Town below Salter's Ifland. Juft before 
Dark, two Rebel Gallies came farther up, 
and exchanged a good many Shot with the 
Savannah, Venus Tranfport, and the Comet 
and Thunderer Gallies. 

The French were bufily employed in 
bringing Cannon, &c., from Bewlie till the 
23d, when in the Night they broke 
Ground. 

Next Morning about 90 of the Light 
Infantry under Major Graham, were fent 
out to endeavour to bring the French out 
of their Lines, thereby to form fome Judg- 
ment of their Numbers, and bring them 



Siege of Savannah. 33 

open to the Fire of our Cannon. The 
Scheme fucceeded. Major Graham was 
followed by a heavy Column of the French, 
who were expofed to the Fire of the Can- 
non, which galled them feverely : Their 
Lofs by good Authority, 14 Officers, and 
145 Privates killed and wounded: Our 
Lofs, I Subaltern and 3 Privates killed, and 
15 wounded. In the Evening there was a 
good deal of Firing betwixt the Enemy's 
Gallies and ours. 

In the Morning of Saturday the 25th, 
there was a fmart Cannonade for a (hort 
Time from a French Battery of one 18 and 
one 6 Pounder ; a Heffian was killed in his 
Tent by an 18 lb. Shot. Several Balls went 
through Houfes in Town, but no Perfon 
was hurt. The Rebel Gallies in the Eve- 
ning began again to fire at ours, which was 
returned, and likewife a good many Shot 
were fired at them from the Battery at the 
Truftee's Gardens, where Capt. John Mills 
commanded. Betwixt eight and nine at 
Night, one of the Enemy's Gallies, which 



34- Journal of the 

came up as far as the Rofe Man-of-war, 
(funk on the Garden Bank), was foon 
obliged by the Fire from this Battery to be 
towed off to her former Station below 
Flyming's Illand. 

From the 24th the French were extend- 
ing their Lines and Works, and bringing 
Cannon, Mortars, &c., from Bewlie, Thun- 
derbolt, and Caflon's Bluff. 

On Tuefday the 28th, a French armed 
Ship of 28 Guns, called the Treuite^ an- 
chored in the Back River, nearly oppolite 
the Town. 

Saturday Od:. 2d, about Noon, the above 
Ship, and the two Rebel Gallies began a 
heavy Fire upon the Town and Camp, 
which continued about an Hour, but did 
no Damage. During the Afternoon they 
fired a good deal more, as before. 

On Sunday the 3d, at twelve at Night, 
the French opened a Bomb Battery of 
nine Mortars, and threw Shells into the 
Town and Camp all Night, one of which 
killed Enfign Pollard of the fecond Battal- 



Siege of Savannah, 35 

lion of Gen. De Lancey's Brigade, in a 
Houfe on the Bay. 

On the Morning of Monday the 4th, juft 
as our Morning Gun was fired, the Enemy 
opened two Batteries, on which they had 
mounted 37 Pieces of Cannon, 18, 12, and 
6 Pounders, from which they began a moft 
furious Cannonade upon the Town, at the 
fame Time not relaxing in their Bombard- 
ment. A young Woman, Daughter of 
Mrs. Thompfon, on the Bay, was killed by 
one of the Shot, but no Perfon was hurt in 
Camp. During this Cannonade and Bom- 
bardment, the Ship in the Back River, and 
the Rebel Gallies alfo fired many Shot into 
the Town. The Fire from our Batteries 
was alfo very hot, and many Shells from 
feven fmall Cohorns were thrown into the 
French Works. This Day the Governor 
and Lieutenant Governor' moved to the 
Camp, having pitched a Tent next to Co- 
lonel Maitland's, on the right of the Line. 

1 Governor Sir James Wright ; Lieutenant Governor John 
Graham. 



36 Journal of the 

Tuefday, the 5th, at feven in the Morn- 
ing, there was again a Cannonade and 
Bombardment from the Enemy. A Mu- 
latto Man and three Negroes were killed 
in the Lieutenant Governor's Cellar. In 
the Evening the Houfe of the Late Mrs. 
Lloyd, near the Church, was burnt by a 
Shell, and feven Negroes loft their Lives in 
it. Whilft the Houfe was on Fire, one 
of the hotteft Cannonadings they had yet 
made was kept up to prevent People from 
extinguilliing the Flames. In the Night, 
another Shell fell through Mr. Laurie's 
Houfe in Broughton Street, which killed 
two Women and two Children who were 
under it. The Bombardment and Can- 
nonade continued all Night. 

Wednefday, the 6th, there was another 
Cannonade and Bombardment as before, 
which fhattered the Houfes in Town 
conliderably. The French opened another 
Battery of two fmall Guns near their Bomb 
Battery. 

Thurfday, the 7th, the fame as the pre- 



Siege of Savannah. 37 

ceding Day ; feveral Carcafes were thrown 
during the Night, one of which burnt an 
old Houfe on Broughton Street. 

Capt. John Simpfon, of the Georgia 
Loyalifts, was killed on the Morning of 
Friday the 8th by a Grape-fhot from one 
of the French Batteries, whilft he was 
walking in Major Wright's Redoubt. Much 
Damage was done this Day to the Houfes 
by Cannon Shot. The Firing continued 
very hot all Night, and a great number of 
Shells were thrown, one of which fell into 
the Provoft, killed two Men on the Spot, and 
wounded nine others, fome of whom died 
fince. Another burft in the Cellar, under 
the Office of the Commiffioner of Claims, 
killed one Negro, and wounded another. 

On Saturday, the 9th, about daybreak, 
an Attack' was made by the French and 

• The Britifii had been notified of the Plan of this Attack by 
James Curry, a Clerk of Charlefton, who had been made Ser- 
geant-Major of the Volunteer Grenadiers of that City, and who 
deferted to the Enemy. They were therefore prepared to refill 
the real Attack, and on their Guard againft the feint Movements 
of the Allies, — Stevens's Hift. of Georgia, ii, 215. 

F 



3 8 yournal of the 

Rebels upon the Redoubt to the Right of 
our Lines, on the Road leading to Eben- 
ezer/ the Battery near the Spring, and 
on the Redoubt by Colonel Maitland's 
Tent, into which the Colonel, Governor 
and Lieutenant Governor repaired. 

The Attack was made with great Spirit 
and Impetuolity by the French, fuppofed 
to be about 3,500, of the Flower of their 
Army; to which were joined about 2,500 
Rebels, confifting of the Virginia and South 
Carolina Continentals, and South Carolina 
Militia. Count D'Eftaing aded as Firft, 
and General Lincoln as Second in Com- 
mand. The Morning being very Foggy, 
favored them in their Affault, which con- 
tinued about an hour, when they were 
beat back, and moft fhamefully retreated 
with great Precipitation. The Troops who 
alone defeated this formidable Force con- 
fifled of 

1 A German Settlement, twenty-five Miles from Savannah. 
A Hofpital was eftablifhed there by the Britifh in the Revolu- 
tion. 



Siege of Savannah. 39 

28 difmounted Dragoons, ^ I" the Redoubts on the Ebe- 

as Battalion Men of the 6oth Re-^ — ^^^J^' :^:^Z, 

giment, C and who fell in bravely 

54 South Carolina Loyalifts, j defending it. 

90 of Col. Hamilton's North Car-^ 

olina Loyalifts, f In the Redoubt in which Co- 

75 Militia, under Capt's Wallace,^ lonei Maitiand was. 
Tallemach, and Polhill, ; 

74 Grenadiers, of the 6oth Regi- ^ Who were ordered to fup- 

'^ \ port the Redoubt, and 

nisr^^ T bravely charged the Ene- 

37 Marines, J my with their Bayonets. 

Befides the above, the Spring Battery of 
6 Guns, manned by 31 Sailors, under the 
Command of Captains Manley and Stiel, 
did very great Execution, v^hich contri- 
buted much to the glorious Succefs of the 
Day. 

On the Left, the Rebels made tv^o Feints; 
one on Major Wright's Redoubt by General 
Williamfon,' with 500 Men, the other on 
Colonel Cruger's, by General Huger,^ with 

1 General Andrew Williamfon, whofe fubfequent Defeftion 
gave him the Title of the " Southern Arnold." 
•^ General Ifaac Hugcr, of South Carolina. 



4-0 yournal of the 

joo men ; but both Parties foon returned, 
having about 500 Men killed and wounded. 
After the Retreat of the Enemy from 
our Right, 270 Men, chiefly French, were 
found Dead; upwards of 80 of whom lay 
in the Ditch and on the Parapet of the 
Redoubt, firft attacked, and 93 were within 
our Abattis. Two Rebel Standards were 
once fixed on the Redoubt on the Ebenezer 
Road ; one of them was carried off again, 
and the other, which belonged to the Se- 
cond Carolina Regiment, was taken.' 

J Colonel Laurens, at the Head of the Light Infantry, the 
Second South Carolina Regiment, and the Firft Battalion of 
Charlefton Militia, alfo attacked the Redoubt; and the Colors of 
the Second South Carolina Regiment, which had been prefented 
to it by Mrs. Elliott, of Charlefton, were for a Moment planted 
on the Berm by Lieutenants Hume and Bufh, who being killed. 
Lieutenant Grey advanced to their Support; but he being mor- 
tally wounded. Sergeant Jafper ruflied forward, and, though 
mortally wounded, brought off" his Colors at the Expenfe of his 
Life. — Stevens's Hiji. of Georgia, ii, 217. The daring and fuc- 
cefshil Enterprifes of Sergeant William Jafper form fome of the 
moft ftriking Paflages in the Hiftory of the Southern Campaigns 
of the Revolution. — Bowen^s Lincoln, p. 315; Garden's Anec- 
dotes, i, 6, 77, &c. Jafper County in Georgia has fince been 
named in honor of this brave Sergeant. 



Siege of Savannah. 41 

Since the Attack, we have learnt from 
French Officers, Deferters and other, that 
they loft in killed and wounded 700 Men, 
fome fay 1,000, and others 1,800, reck- 
oning 63 Officers, in the Lift of Slain. 
Amongft the Wounded were Count d'Ef- 
taing and the famous Polifh Count Pulafki. 
The former received a Mufket-fhot in his 
Arm, and another in his Thigh ; the latter, 
a Grape-fhot in his Groin, and is lince dead.^ 

1 Count Pulafki, with his Cavalry, followed the attacking Col- 
umns with the View of charging in the Rear of the Redoubts at 
the firll vulnerable Point ; but, finding the Front of d'Eftaing's 
Troops thrown into Confufion by the deadly Fire of the Britifh, 
he left his Command to the Care of Colonel Horry, and with 
Captain Bentalou haflened on his black Charger to animate, by 
his Prefence, the wavering Spirits of the Soldiers, and carry out 
the Plans of d'Eftaing, now twice wounded, and borne from the 
Field. He dafhed on heedlefs of Danger, and anxious only to 
retrieve the Difcomfiture into which the head Columns had been 
thrown. He penetrated to the Spring Hill Redoubt — the Scene 
of the greateft Carnage, and, endeavoring to rally the difordered 
Troops, was ftruck by a Grape-fhot from the laft Gun of the 
Baftion. He reeled upon his Horfe which, unguided, plunged 
madly forward until his noble Rider fell into the Arms of his 
Comrades, and was borne by them back from the murderous 
Conflia. 

But nothing human could Hand before the terrible Cannonade 



^2 Journal of the 

Our Lofs on this ever memorable Occa- 
fion was only Capt. Tawfe, and 1 5 Privates 

from the Enemy's Lines. Troops the braveft. Soldiers the moll: 
difciplined, Hearts the ftouteft, quailed before the Angel of 
Death, as he feemed to fpread out his Wings upon that Blood- 
covered Plain. When the fecond American Column, under 
Mclntofh, reached the Spring Hill Redoubt, the Scene of Confu- 
lion was dreadful. They marched up over Ground flrewn with 
the Dead and Dying; and feldom has the Sun of a warm Odlo- 
ber Morning looked down upon a Scene fo mournful and appaling. 
The Smoke of the Mufkets and Cannon hung broodingly over 
the Place, gathering denfenefs and darknefs from every Difcharge; 
and the Roar of Artillery, the Rattling of fmall Arms, the calling 
Bugle, the founded Retreat, the ftirring Drum, and the Cries of 
the Wounded blended ftardingly together. 

Colonel Huger, marching through the low Rice Grounds, 
reached his appointed Poll:, and was received with Mufic and 
a brilk Difcharge, which killed twcntv- eight of his Men, and 
compelled him to retreat. Only the Column of Mclntofh was 
now frefh and ready for Aftion. But the Fate of the Day was 
decided; the French and x'^mericans had been slain and wounded 
by hundreds, and their Bodies lined the Redoubts and Ditches. 
They had left their Camp in anticipation of decifive Viftory, 
Blood-bought and Toil-earned, indeed, but yet Vidlory; and 
expefted to Plant the Standards of the Army over the proftrate 
Enfigns of England; but the betrayal of their Plans of Attack, 
and the lofiing of their Way, with the confequent Detention till 
Daylight revealed their Pofition to the Enemy, changed the For- 
tunes of the Day, and, though bold, valiant, and perfevering, 
they were repulfed and flaughtered. For one Hour, they had 
ftood gallant and undaunted before the murderous Cannonade, 



Siege of Savannah. 43 

killed, and 35 wounded; amongft them, 
Lieut. Smollett Campbell of the Light 
Dragoons, and Lieut. James Wallace of 
the firft Company of Militia./ 

Our whole Force — Regulars, Militia, 
Volunteers and Sailors — on Duty did not 
exceed 2,350 Men. 

A Flag was foon fent in by the Enemy, 
deliring a Truce for the Burial of their 
Dead, and receiving the Wounded, which 
was agreed to till three o'clock in the 
Afternoon, and then prolonged till dark. 
During the Night there was a flight Can- 
nonading on both Sides, and many Defert- 
ers came in. 

Sunday, loth, feveral Flags paiTed, and 
Truces were agreed to for the above Pur- 
pofes. Some Deferters came in during the 
Night. 

which ftruck down Rank after Rank, and fent Difmay, by its 
fweeping Fury, into every Column until, finding further Attempt 
but ufelefs Sacrifice of Life, a Retreat was ordered, and the 
Remains of that gallant Army were drawn off the Field. — Ste- 
vens^ s Hil. of Georgia, ii, 217. 

' See ofiicial Report of Cafualties in the Appendix. 



4-4 Journal of the 

Monday, i ith, Deferters continued com- 
ing in, who informed that the French were 
fending off their Sick and Wounded, and 
heavy Cannon, on board their Ships ; and 
that the Panic-ftruck Rebel MiHtia were 
running off in great numbers. 

On Tuefday, the 12th, at day-Hght the 
French fired only three Shot from fmall 
Pieces of Cannon. 

Wednefday, 13th, the Enemy, early in 
the Morning, fired one Shot from a Field- 
piece, in return for feveral from our Bat- 
teries. This Forenoon the Truite moved 
out of the Back River, and came to anchor 
at Five-Fathom-Hole, the Wind being un- 
favourable for her getting down the River. 
In the Night a few Shot from our Batteries 
produced fome from the French. 

On the Night of Thurfday, the 14th, 
our firing was anfwered by the Enemy. 
Deferters ftill came in. Two more Rebel 
Gallies joined the others at Five-Fathom- 
Hole. 

Friday, the 15th, we were informed that 



Siege of Savannah. ^5 

all the Carolina Militia were gone off. 
This Day a Ship came up and joined the 
Enemy's Fleet. Deferters continued to 
come in. Much Firing from our Batteries 
in the Night, anfwered by three or four 
Guns from the French. 

Saturday, the i6th, in the Afternoon 
there was a great deal of Ikirmifhing on 
Mr. Gillivray's Plantation, betwixt fome 
Negroes and a Party of Rebels, and the 
latter were feveral Times driven from the 
Buildings on the Plantation into the Woods. 
Want of Ammunition, however, obliged 
the Blacks to retreat in the Evening, with 
the Lofs of one killed, and three or four 
wounded. The Enemy's Lofs is not known. 
There was very little firing this Night from 
the French, who had fent off all their 
Cannon except two. 

Sunday, the 17th, we were informed that 
the French Mulatto and Black Brigade had 
marched to Col. Mulryne's^ to embark. 
The Enemy fired a few Shot in the Night. 

I John Mullrync. 

G 



zj.6 Journal of the 

Monday, the i8th, our firing this Night 
was not anfwered by the Enemy. 

On Tuefday, the 19th, we received Ad- 
vice that the French had taken Poft two 
Miles from Town, at the Crofs-roads, lead - 
ing to Brewton's,^ with a Swamp on their 
Right and Left, and that the Rebels were 
croffing the River with all Expedition at 
the Two Sifters, and the Rev. Mr. Zubly's 
Ferry. ^ The French Batteries were this 
Day deflroyed by Parties fent out for that 
Purpofe. 

Wednefday, 20th, the Militia were dif- 
charged; the Light Dragoons fcoured the 
Country, and brought in fome Prifoners. 
All the French embarked at Cafton's Bluff 
in 100 Boats, in which they proceeded to 
Tybee, and went on board their Ships. 

From the 21ft to the 30th the Wind, 

1 Brewton's Hill was a Bluff, thirty Feet high, diftant by Road 
three or four Miles from the Town. A narrow Caufeway, a 
third of a Mile long, occurred on this Road. 

'' Rev. John J. Zubly, D.D., was at an early Period enlifted 
in the Continental Caufe, and was a Delegate in Congrefs; but 
he fubfcquently gave his adherence to the Crown. 



Siege of Savannah. 4.7 

hanging to the Eaftward, prevented the 
Enemy's Shipping that had come up the 
River from getting down. Cartels during 
the Time were coming up with Prifoners. 

The 3 1 ft the French and Rebel Veflels 
got down to Cockfpur.' 

And on Tuefday, the 2d of November, 
the whole of the Enemy's Shipping that 
were at Tybee failed over the Bar, and left 
our Port open/ 

1 Fort Pulafki was fubfequently erefted by the United States 
Government on Cockfpur's Ifland, fourteen Miles below Savan- 
nah. It was begun in 1831. 

'^ Profeflbr Stevens, in reviewing the Events of this Siege, 
makes the following Remarks : 

" Looking back upon the Siege of Savannah, and taking in all 
its Operations at one Survey, we are aifoniflied at the Number 
of Errors which feemed to mark the Contell. The firft great 
Error was in the French Fleet pafling by Beaufort, without cap- 
turing Colonel Maitland and his eight Hundred Men. The 
overwhelming Force of the French could eafily have efFedfed 
this, but the Charleilon Pilots refufed to take the Ships over Port 
Royal Bar. Had this Regiment been captured, the Fate of the 
City would have been reverfed. The fecond Error was in the 
hafty Summons of the City to furrender to the Arms of the 
King of France betore d'Eftaing had been joined by Lincoln. 
The joint Summons of thefe Generals, backea by the Prefence 
of their joint Armies, would have produced a different Anfwer 



4-8 yournal of the 

It is not known which way the Count 
d'Eftaing has fleered his Courfe. It was 

from the Englifli Commander. The third great Error — the 
fatal Error — was in the French General granting a Truce of 
twenty-four Hours. That Truce faved the City. It was highly 
impolitic, when a fudden Impreffion was defired; but it was 
almoft culpable, when the American General was not prefent, 
but was hourly expefted, to concede fuch a Priviledge without 
his approval. D'Eftaing was too much flufhcd with the Vifto- 
ries of Grenada and St. Vincents to be cautious. Lincoln had 
been too long fchooled in Difafters not to be wary and vigilant. 

" The Englifh Officers themfelves acknowledged that had the 
combined Armies marched to Savannah at their firft Junftion, 
they could eafily have taken it; fo poorly defenfible was it at the 
Beginning of the Siege. The Ignorance of their Guides, and 
the Betrayal of their Plan of Attack, completed the Series of 
Misfortunes which refulted in their Overthrow. 

"The Seafon of the Year, both for Land and Sea Operations, 
was the moft improper which could have been chofen. Who, 
that is at all acquainted with our Coaft, does not know its pecu- 
liar Expofure to the equinoctial Gales of September? x^nd 
who, that knows our Climate, is not aware of the almoft certain 
Sicknefs which, during our Fall Months, attacks the Stranger, 
particularly at that Period, when camping near Swamps and 
Ditches ? The confequence was, that the French Officers and 
Troops, both at Sea and on Land, were continually anxious, 
reftive, longing to depart; fearing the Miafma on Shore and the 
Hurricane on the Ocean. Both came to them too foon; but 
the Deftrudion of neither equalled the Carnage of the Battle. 
There was a vauntingnefs at times in the Language of d'Eftaing, 



Siege of Savannah. 4.9 

faid 1 1 of his Line-of-battle Ships were to 
go with him to France, and the remainder 
to Chefapeak to refit and take in Provifions. 
Wherever they may have gone, it is to be 
hoped, when he is fent by the King, his 
Mafter, on another Expedition, fliould he 
have Occafion to fummon a Garrifon to 
furrender, and find it necelTary to vaunt of 

which rendered it too haughty to be brave. His Words at his 
Summons — ' I have not been able to refufe the Army of the 
United States uniting itfelf with the King,' is a ftrangc Piece of 
Diplomacy; for it implies that he had endeavored to prevent it, 
when his very Purpofe in coming to Georgia was to effeft it. 
The Condudl of the French Troops during the Siege was ex- 
emplary and praifeworthy. A generous Emulation, and nothing 
more, pervaded both Armies; and the Bravery of the Allies 
needs no greater Comment than the Number of Dead and 
Wounded they left upon the Field of Battle. Wafhington, 
writing to General Lincoln two Months after this Attack, con- 
cerning its Failure, thus alludes to the Army : * While I regret 
the Misfortune, I feel a very fenfible Pleafure in contemplating 
the gallant Behaviour of the Officers and Men of the French 
and American Army; and it adds not a little to my Confolation 
to learn that, inftead of mutual Reproaches, which too often 
follow the Failure of Enterprifes depending upon the Coopera- 
tion of Troops of different Nations, their Confidence in and 
Efleem for each other are increafed.' " — HiJIory of Georgia, ii, 
223. 



50 yournal of the 

the valorous Deeds he performed at Gre- 
nada, where, with an Army of 4,000 Men, 
he took a Fort by Storm, garrifoned with 
about 80 Regulars and fome Militia, he 
will keep in remembrance the Names of 
General Meadows, and Prevost. This 
will fufficiently ferve to humble his haughty 
Spirit, and convince him that he is not al- 
together invincible. 

It is imagined the French, in this late 
Bombardment, did not throw lefs than 
1,000 Shells into the Town and Camp. 
The Carcafes thrown were in Number 
about twenty. 

Laft Sunday Morning, the Brig Three 
Friends failed for London, in which went 
PalTengers Capt. Shaw, of the 6oth Regi- 
ment, Aid-de-camp to his Excellency, Gen. 
Prevoft, and Capt. Chriftian, Commander 
of His Majefty's armed Ship Vigilant ; alfo 
failed for New York the Sloop Crawford^ 
in which Capt. Patrick Campbell, of the 
71ft Regiment, went Palfenger. 

We are told that one of the French flat- 



Siege of Savannah. 5 1 

bottomed Boats, full of Soldiers and Sailors, 
when they began to land their Troops off 
Offabaw, in a Swell of the Sea, filled with 
Water, by which means flie funk, and all 
on board perifhed.^ 

In confequence of a Proclamation, iffued 
by His Excellency the Governor, laft Fri- 
day^ was obferved here as a Day of public 
Thankfgiving to Almighty God, for his 
very fignal Mercies vouchfafed us during 
the Siege of this Town, by the united 
Forces of the French and Rebels. 

All the French and Rebel VelTels have 
left this River. 

November 25. A VelTel arrived at St. 
Auguftine from Antigua, brings an Ac- 
count of eleven ftore Ships, under Convoy 
of a 40 and a 32-Gun Ship from France, 
bound to Martinico, being taken by fome 
of our Fleet in the Weil: Indies. 

1 Captain Henry, of the Ship Fowey, ftates, in a Letter pub- 
liflied in the x^ippendix, that the French loft one Hundred Men 
by this Accident. 

- Oftober 29, 1779. 



5 2 yournal of the 

Tuefday laft, arrived here His Majefty's 
Ship Blonde, Andrew Barclay, Efqr., 
Commander, from New York, but laft 
from St. Auguftine, in which came Paf- 
fenger Major Gen. Leslie; Major Sheriff 
alfo came in the above VelTel from Eaft 
Florida. 



Additions to the yournal of the Proceedings 

of the ViBorious Army at Savannah in 

Georgia. 

On the 23d, fome Officers' Wives were 
fent on Shore ; they were taken on the 
Palfage from New York at the fame Time 
with the Experiment, Man-of-war. 

On the 24th, the Comte Noailles, Nephew 
to the laft Ambaftador from France to our 
Court, with the Commander of the Triiette 
Frigate, came to Savannah with the Seamen 
and Marines taken in the Experiment and 
Ariel ; Sir James Wallace,' and Capt. Mc- 

1 The Journal of the Experiment, with an Account of her 
Capture, are given on a fubfequent Page of this Volume. 



Siege of Savannah. 53 

Kinzie being faid already to have embarked 
for Old France, in order to their being 
exchanged — there not being Officers of 
equal Rank to them here. The Comte 
declared the Panic of the Troops laft em- 
barked was fuch, that they would have 
laid down their Arms had we detached 500 
of our Troops to purfue them; that 63 of 
their Officers were killed, and 20 wounded, 
and 1,000 of the beft Soldiers of France, 
belides great Numbers by Sicknefs at their 
Landing ; that their EfFeftives conlifted of 

Number of EfFe6lives, - - - 3,000 
Marines from their Ships, - - ijSOO 

Mulattoes, 500 



5,000 
The Rebels confifted of, - - - 2,500 



7,500 



On the Day of the Attack, that the Re- 
turns of the Lofs of Seamen and Marines 
in the Engagement with Admiral Byron, 
off Grenada, was upwards of 700 Men ; 
H 



54- Journal of the 

that the Death of Comte Brown was 
greatly lamented. Noailles added, that he 
was one of the beft Officers the French 
King had in his Service ; that their whole 
Fleet (which, on their firft Arrival, con- 
lifted of 25 Ships of the Line, 13 Frigates, 
and 3 fmall-armed Veftels), are very thinly 
Manned, having loft many Seamen and 
Marines by Sicknefs lince the Battle with 
Admiral Byron ; and off" Georgia, owing to 
bad Provilions and bad Weather, that the 
Magfjijique, of 74 Guns, is fo very leaky, 
that they were forced to take out her Guns, 
and that ftie and the Valiant, of 64, have 
not more than 140 Hands on board. In 
ftiort, the Comte de Noailles fays, that if 
ten Ships of the Line were to engage them 
in their prefent Condition, they would be 
able to take their whole Fleet ; that in 
our Sortie on the 24th, the French had 17 
Officers killed and wounded, and upwards 
of 150 Men ; that Mons. Bougainville, and 
all the French Land and Sea Officers greatly 
exclaimed againft Comte d'Eftaing, and alfo 



Siege of Savannah. 55 

at the rafcally behaviour of the Rebels on 
the Day of Battle.' 

Great Honor is due to General Prevoft 
for his fteady, cool, and moderate Manner, 
in which he gave his Orders during the 
Siege, particularly on the Day of Attack. 
Our Chief Engineer, Capt. Moncrieffe, has 
immortalized himfelf by his indefatigua- 
ble Perfeverance in erecting and ftrength- 
ening the Batteries, Redoubts, &c. * '^^ * 
It is faid General Prevoft has made a Dif- 
pofition for the Recovery of the Poft at 
Beaufort, of which we doubt not the Hon- 
ourable General Leilie will foon take Pof- 
feffion. 

It is with much Regret we announce the 
Death of Captain Eneas Mclntofh,- Cap- 

1 The extreme Improbability that an Officer in the French 
Service fhould have willingly made fuch Difclofures of Loffes to 
an Enemy, leads us to regard the Statements as altogether a 
Fiftion, and invented by the Englifli Writer of the above Ar- 
ticle. 

~ Corrededin a fubfequent Paper to Angus Mclntofh. There 
was another Officer named Eneas Mclntolli ftill at Savannah. 
The Eftate of the Deceafed was fettled by Lachlan Mclntofh, 
Commiffitry, No. 1,078, Water Street, N. Y. 



^6 yournal of the 

tain and Paymafter of the 71 ft Regiment 
in Georgia. 

The following is fuppofed, upon good 
Authority, to be the Difpofition of the 
Comte d'Eftaing's Fleet. 

Twelve departed for Europe ; five, under 
Mons. De GrafTe, for the Weft Indies. The 
Remainder, four of which have loft their 
Rudders, are lame Ducks, and fcattered in 
different Parts of the Continent. 



nmniini i mimi 




ANOTHER JOURNAL 



SIEGE OF SAVANNAH. 

[From Rivington's Royal Gazette, No. 335, Dec. 15, 1779.] 

SEPTEMBER 3, 1779. Saw from Ty- 
bee Light-houfe four large Ships in the 
Offing ; fent Lieut. Lock in the Pilot Boat 
to reconnoitre them. 

4th. The Lieutenant returned, and re- 
ported the ftrange Ships in the Offing to 
be two French Ships of the Line, two 
Frigates and a Sloop. 

5th. They flood off this Day and ap- 
peared again. 

6th. Lieut. Whitworth was difpatched 
with Advice to New York of the Enemy 
being on the Coaft, but was chafed in by 
the French. 

7th. Lieut. Whitworth failed again, and 
we hope efcaped the Enemy, employed in 
founding the North Channel, and bringing 



58 Journal of the 

the Rofe, Keppel and Ger^nain Men-of-war 
into it, and mooring them. 

8th. The Signal was made from the 
Light-houfe, of feeing 1 8 Sail ; at Sunfet 
counted 41 Sail, 32 of which appeared 
large Ships ; an Officer and Reinforcement 
came to Tybee Fort, which had only one 
24-pounder, and one 8 2 -inch Howitzer. 
Came down from Cockfpur, and anchored 
in the North Channel. His Majefty's Ship 
Fowey, the Savannah armed Ship, Tranf- 
ports and Prifon Ships, ready to go up to 
Savannah River. Started all the Water 
except the Ground Tier. 

9th. At Daylight, faw the French Fleet, 
fome of them in Chafe of a Schooner with 
Englifh Colours, which they took. 

loth. Four of the Enemy's Ships got 
under Way at high Water, and flood for 
Tybee ; the Fowey made the Signal to 
weigh ; weighed with the Fowey, Keppel 
and Comet Galley, and run up Savannah 
River as far as Long Beach. The Fowey 
got aground on White Vefter Bank. Or- 



Siege of Savannah. 59 

dered the Keppel and Comet to her Affift- 
ance, with Boats, Anchors, &c. The Fort 
was abandoned and burnt. The French 
Ships anchored ofF Tybee. The Fowey got 
off at high Water.' 

1 The following Orders were iffued September 9th : 

"The Regiment of WifTenbach to take their Ground of En- 
campment; likewife the 2d Battalion of General Delancey's. 
In Cafe of an Alarm, which will be known by the beating to 
Arms, both at the Barracks and main Guard, the Troops are to 
repair to their feveral Pofts without Confufion or Tumult. 

" Captain Stuart, of the Britifh Legion, will take Poll with 
his Men on the Right, near the River. 

"The Main Guard to be relieved by Convalefcents from the 
Heffians. 

" Major Wright's Corps to fend their Convalefcents in the 
old Fort. Twenty-four Men in the fmall Redoubt, and feventy 
Men in the Left Flank Redoubt, upon the Road to Tat- 
nall's. 

" The Militia to afTemble in Rear of the Barracks. 

" The Light Infantry, the Dragoons, and Carolina Light- 
horfe, as a Referve, two hundred Yards within the Barracks. 

" The King's Rangers, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel 
Brown, in the fmall Redoubt on the Right, with fifty Men; the 
Remainder extending towards the larger Redoubt on the Right. 

" The Carolinians, divided equally in the two large Re- 
doubts. 

" The Battalion Men of the 60th Regiment in the right Re- 
doubt, the Grenadiers on the Left, extending along the Abatis 



6o yournal of the 

I ith. Employed founding and laying off 
the Channel leading to Savannah. The 
Fowey J Keppely and Co?net Galley anchored 
there. 

1 2th. At Sanfet a French Ship anchored 
off Tybee ; two more anchored in the 
South Channel, and one in the North. 
Perceived fhe was aground. 

13th. At 2 p. M. a Sloop, the Crawford^ 

towards the Barracks; the Heflians on their Left, fo as to fill up 
the Space t-o the Barracks. 

" On the Left of the Barracks, the 3d Battalion of Skinner's, 
General Delancey's, and the New York Volunteers; and on 
their Left the 71ft Regiment, lining the Abatis to the left Flank 
Redoubt, on the Road to Tatnall's. 

"If all the Orders are filently and pundlually obeyed, the 
General makes no doubt that if the Enemy (hould attempt to make 
an Attack but that they will be repulfed, and the Troops main- 
tain their former well acquired Reputation. Nor will it be the 
firft Time that Britifh and Heffian Troops have beat a greater 
Superiority, both French and Americans, than it is probable they 
will have to encounter on this Occafion. The General repeats 
his firm Reliance on the Spirit and fteady Coolnefs of the Troops 
he has the Honour to Command." — SieveNs's HiJ}. of Georgia, 
ii, 203. 

The original Order Book of General Prevoft was in PofTeffion 
of J. K. TefFt, Efq., of Savannah, when quoted by Mr. Ste- 
vens. 



Siege of Savannah, 6i 

came along-fide. Sent eight 9-Pounders, 
400 Shot, and eight Barrels of Powder, &c., 
to the Army. The Cotnet Galley moved to 
Cockfpur and exchanged fome Shot with 
the French Ships aground — the French 
Fleet at anchor without the Bar. At 7 
A. M., weighed, as did the Fowey, Keppel, 
and Comet Galley. At half paft, the Ship 
took the Ground, but foon floated. An- 
chored with the fmall Bower. At 8 
weighed, and came up the River. At 1 1 
anchored at Five-Fathom-Hole. 

14th. Sent Lieut. Lock 26 Seamen, Capt. 
Rankin, and all the Marines to reinforce 
the Army, per Order from Commodore 

Henry. 

15th. At 2 the Keppel and Comet went 
down the Harbour to cover and proted: the 
Troops expedied from Beaufort. This Day 
I joined the Army with the remaining Part 
of the Officers and Ship's Company, leaving 
only enough to keep the Ship free. Pofted 
the Officers and Seamen to the different 
I 



62 yournal of the 

Batteries in the Line. The General re- 
ceived a Summons from Count d'Eftaing' to 
furrender, &c., &c., to the Arms of the 
French King. A Council of War was 

1 Charles Hef^or Comte d'Eftaing was born in Auvergne in 
1729; began his military Career as a Colonel of Infantry, and 
foon after, being advanced to the Rank of Brigadier, was fent, 
under Count de Lally, to ferve in the Eaft: Indies. He was taken 
Prifoner at Madras in 1759, and paroled, but had the Indifcre- 
tion to violate his Pledge; and, upon again falling into the Hands 
of the Englifh, was treated with great Severity. He lay in clofe 
Confinement a long Time in the Hulks at Portfmouth, but was 
finally relcafed. At the Peace of i 763 he was made Lieutenant- 
General of the naval Forces; but his Appointment occafioned 
Jealoufies in the Navy which he never overcame. 

In 1778 he was fent as Vice-Admiral to America with twelve 
Ships; but adverfe Winds detained him till Lord Howe, with a 
much fmaller Squadron in the Delaware, had reembarked, and 
landed his Troops in New York. When before Rhode Ifland, 
and about to attack the Britifh, a Storm fcattered and difabled 
his Fleet. His fubfequent Succefs in ihe Weft Indies, and Fail- 
ure before Savannah are noticed in thefe Pages. After this Re- 
pulfe, he returned to France. In 1 783, he commanded a French 
and Spanifh Fleet at Cadiz, but the Peace put an End to this 
Expedition. 

Entering with Spirit into the French Revolution, he became, 
in 1789, Commandant of the National Guard at Verfailles; but 
his Career was not without grievous Stains upon his Name, and 
he perifhed under the Guillotine in April, 1794, under the 
Charge of being a counter Revolutionift. 



Siege of Savannah. 63 

called on the Occafion, and an Anfwer was 
fent. A Trooper of Pulafki's was brought 
in this Morning. 

1 6th. The Remainder of the Rofe and 
Fowefs Guns were landed. The Guns were 
immediately mounted on the different Bat- 
teries. Colonel Maitland, and the Troops 
from Beaufort arrived — 71ft and New 
York Volunteers ; brave Fellows. Savan- 
nah in the higheft Spirits.' 

1 The Refult of the impending Attack was doubtlefs decided 
by this Arrival. 

" Every Avenue by which the Approach of Col. Maidand 
and his Highlanders could be looked for was clofed; yet by un- 
conquerable Induftry, he difcovered an obfcurc Creek, but little 
navigated; and, by dint of perfevering Exertion, dragging his 
Boats through it, reached the Garrifon before the Time allowed 
for Deliberation had expired. Entering the Council Chamber 
where Difcuffions were carrying on, he is faid to have approached 
with hurried Step the Table, and, ftriking the Hilt of his Clay- 
more againif it, to have exclaimed, ' the Man who utters a Sylla- 
ble recommending Surrender, makes me his decided Enemy; it 
is necefTary that either he or / fhould fall.' So refolute a Speech, 
at a Moment fo critical, produced the happieft EfFeft on the 
Minds of all. Hope and Courage regained their Influence in every 
Mind; each Individual repaired to his Poll with Alacrity and 
Confidence; the Terms offered by the Befiegers were rejeded. 



64 Journal of the 

17th. A Truce agreed on for 24 Hours, 
viz., till Gun-fire, p. m.^ 

1 8th. Continued Truce. 

19th. Hands fent down to bring the 
Ships up nearer the Town. All the Ships 

and the Town was faved." — Garden^ s Anecdotes of the Americtm 
Revolution, Brooklyn Ed. 1865, iii, 101. 

1 Tlie following Orders of the Day, for the 17th of Septem- 
ber, indicate the Spirit with which the Englifh Commander en- 
gaged in the impending Contell : 

" General Orders. 
"Camp before Savannah, — 17th September, 1779. 

*' Parole — Maitland. Counterfign — St. George. 

"Field Officers for To-morrow — Lieutenant Colonel Cruger 
and Major Graham. 

" The Troops to be under Arms this Afternoon at four 
o'clock; as the Enemy is now very near, an Attack may be 
hourly expedled; the General therefore defires that the whole 
may be in inftant readinefs. By the known Steadinefs and 
Spirit of the Troops, he has the moil; unlimited Dependancc, 
doubting nothing of a glorious Vidory, fhould the Enemy try 
their Strength. What is it that may not, by the Blefling of 
God, be expefled from the united Efforts of Britifli Sailors and 
Soldiers, and valliant Heflians, againll an Enemy that they have 
often beat before? In Cafe of a Night Attack, the General 
earneftly requefts the utmoft Silence to be obferved, and Atten- 
tion to the Officers, who will be careful that the Men do not 
throw away their Fire at random, and warn them earneftly not 
to fire until ordered." — Stevens's Hift. of Georgia^ ii, 311. 



Siege of Savannah, 65 

moved ; the Pickets firing mofl Part of the 
Night. 

20th. New Works thrown up, the French 
Ship Rebel Galleys moving up the River. 
Orders from Capt. Henry to fcuttle and 
fink the Rofe Man-of-War in the Channel, 
which was immediately done, after getting 
out as many of her Stores, &c., as the Time 
would admit. The Savannah arm'd Ship, 
and Venus, Tranfport, were burnt, with 
their Guns and Provifions, Ammunition, 
&c. Two or three Tranfports funk at 
Five-Fathom-Hole, or thereabouts, with 
all their Sails burnt, &c., &c. 

2 1 ft. Two Negros, deferted from the 
Enemy, report them Strong; Gen. Lin- 
coln with the Rebel Army having joined 
the French, and that they are preparing to 
attack; ftrengthening our Works; firing 
occafionally on the Enemy to difturb them. 

22d. The Enemy flill opening Works 
to the Left ; fired on them occafionally 
from the Batteries. 
23d. Strengthening the Works, and throw- 



66 yournal of the 

ing up Intrenchments in Front of the dif- 
ferent Corps in that Line. 

24th. At feven in the Morning, faw the 
Enemy very bufy intrenching themfelves 
to the Left of the Barracks. Three Com- 
panies of Light Infantry made a Sortie 
with great Spirit. The Enemy being too 
numerous, obliged them to retreat under 
the Fire of our Batteries, with the lofs of 
21 killed and wounded. Lieut. McPherfon, 
of the 7 J ft, was killed. It is fuppofed the 
Enemy fuffered confiderably. The Enemy 
fired feveral Cannon in our Line from two 
i8-Pounders, and fome 4-Pounders. A 
Flag was fent to bury the Dead, on both 
Sides. In the Afternoon the Enemy's 
Gallies advanced near the Works. Our 
Gallies exchanged feveral Shots with them, 
and returned under the Sea Battery. The 
new Battery behind the Barracks finiflied 
this Day, mounted with two i8-Pounders, 
two 9-Pounders, and Field-Pieces. Throw- 
ing up Intrenchments in Front of the dif- 
ferent Corps in the French Lines, about 



Siege of Savannah. 67 

half a Mufket Shot from our Abattis. The 
Pickets exchanged Shot the greater Part of 
the Night ; we throwing Shells into their 
Works, and firing on them from our Bat- 
teries every fifteen Minutes. 

25th. The French throw up new Works 
on the Left of the Barracks, in which they 
mounted two i8-Pounders en barbette, but 
were driven from them by our Batteries. 
In the Evening the Rebel Gallies advanced 
up to the Rofe, but were obliged to retire, 
by the Fire of the Comet and Thunderer 
Gallies. Continued throwing Shells, and 
firing on their Works during the Night. 

26th. At II, A. M., the Enemy's Gallies 
fired a few Shot at the Fort on the Left 
of the Encampment, without Effect. A 
French Frigate advanced to Five-Fathom- 
Hole. 

27th. At 3, A. M., a fmall Fire of Muf- 
ketry from the Pickets. At 8, a. m., a Flag 
from the French, with private Letters from 
the Britifh Prifoners. Deftroyed the Bar- 
racks, and carried off the Wood, &c., leaving 



68 Journal of the 

the lower Part as a Breaftwork, to prevent 
it being fired from the Enemy. Continued 
throwing Shells, and cannonading the Ene- 
my's Works during the Night. 

28th. At I in the Morning a finall firing 
between the Picquets. A Rebel taken clofe 
to our Abattis. About 2, another firing 
from our Picquets. At 9, a. m., a French 
Frigate moved up the Back River, and 
moored her Stern and Head. Everything 
quiet this Day. The Enemy carrying on 
their Works. 8, p. m., the Thunderer Gal- 
ley moored near the French Frigate, and 
began to cannonade her. The Frigate did 
not return her Fire. 

29th. At Daylight this Morning, faw 
a new Intrenchment on the Left, raifed 
during the Night by the Enemy, within 
half a Mufket Shot of our Lines. Em- 
ployed throwing up Breaftworks to the 
Right and Left of the Barracks. Fired on 
the Enemy's Works every fifteen Minutes 
from the Batteries and Howitzers during 
the Night. 



Siege of Savannah. 69 

30th. At Daylight perceived the Enemy 
working and extending their Intrench- 
ments. At 7, a. m., the Thunderer Galley 
advanced towards the French Frigate on 
the Back River, and fired at her. She did 
not return a Shot. The Thunderer returned, 
having broke the Platform of her Gun. 
At 10, A. M., a Brig came up to Five- 
Fathom-Hole. The Rebel Gallies on their 
former Station, near the Works below. 
The Rofe, a Boat with a fmall Gun, fired 
at the Thunderer without efFed: ; a Launch 
and another Boat went up the Back River. 
A Man came in from the Enemy; gives 
no fatisfaftory Intelligence. Some firing 
from the Battery on the Right, and the 
armed VefiTels, on the Enemy at Yamacraw, 
as well as from the Batteries in the Front 
and the Left, on the French Intrenchments. 
This Night, an Officer of Pulaiki's was 
wounded and brought into the Lines by the 
Picquets. 

Oaober ift. At 7, a. m., the French 
Frigate in the Back River fired fome Shot 
K 



yo Journal of the 

towards the Town, and at the Negroes on 
Hutchinfon's Ifland. Perceived the En- 
emy in Front and on the Left, having in 
their Works Embrafures, &c. A Flag from 
us to the French, with Letters from the 
wounded Officer taken laft Night. Still 
employed in ftrengthening our Lines, par- 
ticularly in Front. Sent out of the Lines 
two Dragoons of Pulafki Legion by a Flag, 
who had been detained fome Time here, 
and received an Officer of the fame Legion 
with a Flag, Mons. Bentolofa, who came 
to fee the Officer that was wounded and 
brought in laft Night. Employed in 
ftrongly throwing up a new Battery on our 
Left, to be mounted with eight 9-Pounders, 
to aft on the Enemy's Batteries. In hourly 
expediation of the Attack. This Afternoon 
frelh Breezes from E.N.E. and Rain. Fired 
during the Night from the Batteries in 
Front, and threw fome Shells into the 
French Intrenchments. 

2d. Rainy Weather ; WindE.N.E. ; the 
Enemy ftill working in their Intrench- 



Siege of Savannah. 7 1 

ments, and preparing the Batteries. At 
Noon the Enemy's Gallies advanced near 
the Sea Battery, and began to cannonade, 
as did the Frigate in the Back River. 
Several of their Shot came into the Rear 
of the Camp, and without doing Execu- 
tion. The Thunderer returned a few Shot ; 
the Sea Battery did not. A Deferter from 
Pulafki's Legion reports the Enemy's Bat- 
teries to be near ready. A Deferter from 
the French Ukewife with the fame Ac- 
count. The Frigate in the Back River 
fired again in the Afternoon without effedt. 
Threw Shells, and fired from the Batteries 
into the French Intrenchments, to difturb 
them during the Night. 

3d. Rainy Weather ; Wind E.N.E. ; the 
Enemy ftill working in the Intrench- 
ments, and compleating their Batteries; the 
French Frigate firing on the Rear of the 
Camp without effed:. At 12 o'clock this 
Night, the Enemy opened the Bomb Bat- 
teries, and fired warmly into the Town, 
but none into the Field. 



7 2 yournal of the 

4th. The Enemy ftill continue their Fire 
from the Bomb and other Batteries. It 
was returned by us. 

5th. The Enemy ftill cannonading the 
Camp and Town. At Night a Houfe took 
fire, but it went out without communicating 
to any other Building. The Frigate and 
Gallies firing as ufiaal. Heard a cannonade 
at Sea. 

6th. The Enemy ftill firing on the 
Works, Camp and Town. The Line turned 
out at Dawn, on an Alarm that the Enemy 
were approaching. The Cannonade and 
Bombardment continued all Night. 

7th. Still continued Cannonading and 
throwing fhells on both Sides ; the Enemy 
throwing moft of their Fire towards the 
Town, which fuffers confiderably. A 9- 
Pounder in our Battery, to the Right of 
the Barracks, burft, and wounded a Seaman. 
Carpenter employed in repairing the Eben- 
ezer Battery, which had been broke by the 
Enemy's Shells. At 7 at Night the Enemy 



Siege of Savannah, 73 

threw feveral Carcafes into the Town, and 
burnt one Houfe. 

8th. The Enemy fired little this Morn- 
ing, but during the Night cannonaded and 
bombarded the Town furioully. 

9th. At Drum-beating in the Morning, 
the French attacked us warmly on the 
Right, and endeavoured to ftorm the Re- 
doubt and Ebenezer Battery. The Grena- 
diers of the 60th Regiment advanced to 
fupport them, and, after an obftinate Re- 
fiftance by the French, they drove them 
back with great Slaughter. Their Lofs is 
reported to be 600 or 700 killed, wounded, 
and Prifoners ; our Lofs, Captain Tawes, 
of the Dragoons, who died nobly fighting 
on the Parapet of the Redoubt ; 7 of the 
60th killed and wounded, and two Marines 
killed and four wounded. A Flag from 
the French, to bury their Dead, which was 
granted. At 8 at Night the French beat 
a Parley, but were refufed by us. They 
fired Cannon and Shells during the Night 



74- yournal of the 

without any other Effed: than deftroying 
the Houfes. 

ID. This Morning fent a Flag to bury 
their Dead. The Rebels fent one for the 
fame Purpofe. The Truce lafted from ten 
till four, p. M. The French fired feveral 
Cannon when it expired. Between 8 and 
9, p. M., our Picquets fired on the Right 
feveral Shot. The Lines lay on their Arms 
all Night, and the Seamen flood to their 
Cannon. No other firing from either Side 
during the Night. 

iith. This Morning very Foggy. No 
Alarm from the Enemy. Our Line very 
alert and in high Spirits. The French 
and Rebels fent in Flags of Truce the 
greateft Part of the Day ; the Enemy em- 
ployed burying their Dead, carrying off 
their Wounded, and fearching for their 
Mifling. The French take off all their 
Cannon and Mortars during the Night, 
leaving only fome fmall Field-pieces to 
amufe us. Our whole Lines in Spirits, 
ready for another Attack. Several Defert- 



Siege of Savannah. 75 

ers, French and Rebels, came in, and all 
report that the Enemy are moving, and 
that their Lofs in the Attack is much more 
than we imagined. The Rebels mifs 1,300 ; 
the French Lofs uncertain, but greater than 
the Rebels, as they fought like Soldiers, 
and were killed and wounded ; but the 
Rebels' lofs is from Defertion immediately 
after the Defeat. 

1 2th. The French amufed us with four 
Cannon Shot at Daybreak. More Deferters 
came in ; fay they are retreating. Count 
d'Eftaing was at the Attack, and was dan- 
geroufly wounded in two Places, and the 
Flower of the French Army killed or 
wounded; Count Pulafki mortally wounded. 
The Enemy very quiet all Night. Opened 
a new Battery on the Right, of three 4- 
Pounders. 

1 3th. We fired a Gun at 2 in the Morn- 
ing. The French returned the Shot. The 
whole Line very alert and under Arms. A 
Flag out at nine, to return the wounded 
French Officers and Soldiers. The Frigate 



76 Journal of the 

in the Back River moved down at high 
water. Heard feveral Guns from the Sea, 
which we fuppofe Signals. More Deferters 
come in, who reported the Enemy's Lofs 
to be great. The Rebel Militia are moftly 
gone off, and the Reft difpirited and ready 
to March to Charles Town. Our Batteries 
in Front fired on the Enemy's Works at In- 
tervals during the Night. The Enemy re- 
turned the Fire, which feemed to come 
from one Gun. Nothing more material 
during the Night. 

14th. More Deferters from the French 
and Rebels, who make the fame Report as 
the Former. At nine this Morning a Flag 
out, to fettle an Exchange of Prifoners. 
Some Information gives us Reafon to exped: 
a vigorous Attack from the French as foon 
as they have got off their heavy Baggage, 
Cannon, Sick and Wounded. We fired at 
Times during the Night on the Enemy's 
Works. They returned two Shot only 
from two fmall Pieces, fuppofed to be 6- 
Pounders, 



Siege of Savannah. 77 

The Enemy very quiet this Morning. We 
could not hear the Rebels' Revielle. The 
French beat Drums, but fired no Morning 
Gun. A Light-fhip come to Five -Fathom- 
Hole, fuppofe for Water. Two Gallies joined 
the two former ones. More Deferters come 
in, and report the Enemy to be on the Re- 
treat ; that their Lofs the Morning of the 
Engagement was very great, particularly in 
their beft Officers. They are very fickly, 
and difcontented with the Rebels. The 
Regiment Darmagnac are on their March 
to Bewlie, with Baggage, Sick and Wound- 
ed. The Night quiet ; firing occafionally 
from the Grand Battery on the Enemy's 
Intrenchments. They returned three or 
four Shot. 

1 6th. The French beat the Revielle ; the 
Rebels did not. More Deferters from the 
French, confirming the former Reports of 
their great Lofs and Retreat. We are, 
however, on our Guard. The Frigates in 
the River loofe their Top-fails as we fup- 
pofe, to drop down and cover the Retreat 
L 



7 8 ^Journal of the 

of the French. An Alarm at Sunfet that 
the Enemy are forming in our Front ; the 
Lines under Arms. The Rebels fet Fire 
to fome Houfes on our Right, as well as in 
our Front. Our armed Negroes fkirmifh- 
ing with the Rebels the whole Afternoon. 
We fired occafionally during the Night on 
the Enemy's Works and Camp. They re- 
turned two Shot. 

17th. The French beat the Revielle ; the 
Rebels did not. Heard the Report of feve- 
ral Cannon. A Manager of Sir James 
Wright's, from Ogeeche, reports that the 
Enemy were preparing to retreat ; that they 
loft, the Day of the Attack, 1,500 Men 
killed and wounded, and the Defertion very 
great. Fire as ufual at the Enemy's Works. 
They returned three Shot. 

1 8th. The French beat the Reveille ; the 
Rebels did not, but they were heard work- 
ing in the Woods. The armed Negroes 
brought in two Rebel Dragoons and eight 
Horfes, and killed two Rebels who were 
in a foraging Party. Only one Deferter 



Siege of Savannah. 79 

this Day from the French, who gives the 
fame Account as the former ones. Many 
Boats obferved paffing from the Enemy's 
Veffels and their Army. Nothing material 
during the Night. We fired as ufual on 
their Works, and they returned three Shot 
from a 6-Pounder. Our Lines very alert, 
and generally on their Arms, ready to re- 
ceive the Enemy. 

19th. The French beat the Revielle ; the 
Rebels not, but w^e heard cutting in the 
Woods. The Ship that came to Five- 
Fathom-Hole moved down the River, as 
we fuppofed, full of Water, and the French 
Baggage. 

20th. The French beat the Revielle ; but 
did not fire the Morning Gun. Two De- 
ferters that came in this Day, fay the Rebels 
marched off Yefi:erday Evening, after having 
fired their Camp. The Frigate fell down 
lower, but the wind being againft her could 
not go further. 



8o Journal of the 

ExtraB of a Letter from a Gentleman of the 
General Hofpital at Savannah, to his Friend 
in this City, dated November 24, 1779. 

** T NEVER began, my dear Tom, to write 
^ a Letter in better Humor. You have, 
no doubt, already heard of Count D'Eflaing 
having landed 4,397 Troops in this Pro- 
vince, and demanding a Surrender of this 
Town and Garrifon. Being denied, he 
befieged it by regular Approaches, with 
the cooperation of the Rebel Army, under 
Lincoln, amounting to 5,518 effecStive Men. 
On the Morning of the 4th of Od:ober, 
their Batteries were finifhed and opened 
with the Dawn. Their Cannon were well 
ferved, and kept a fevere and conftant fire 
till 1 1 o'clock, A. M. The Night preceding, 
they opened a Bomb Battery. I counted 
187 Shells thrown into Town from it, with 
little EfFe6t. This Amufement we had till 
the GLORIOUS Morning of the 9th of Oc- 
tober. An Hour before Day the Attack 
began with a Feint on our Left, the main 



Siege of Savannah. 8 1 

Body upon the Right. They ftormed 
twice, but were repulfed with great Lofs. 
Repulfed by whom ? By 349 South Caro- 
linians, and 24 difmounted Horfemen ! the 
whole under the Command of the immortal 
Capt. Tawes, to whofe facred Memory, 
while my Recolledlion of his unequalled 
Merit lives, I'll pay an anniverfary Tribute. 
The Peace of Heaven be with him. 

The French loft 67 Officers killed, and 
594 Privates, killed and wounded. The 
Rebels loft 633. D'Eftaing is wounded in 
the Arm and Leg — not mortally. Pulafki 
is dead of his Wounds, and was thrown 
overboard on their Paflage to Charles 
Town. We were two Days employed in 
burying their Dead. The Morning of the 
Attack, I had Charge of a 9-Pounder with 
Capt. Brown,' of the Rofe, and believe me, 
Tom, I never was happier in my Life than 
upon this Occalion." 

I The Death of Capt. Brown is noticed in the Royal Gazette, 
December i8, 1779. 



8 2 yournal of the 

Letter fro?n T. W. Moore^ upo?i the Siege of 
Savannah. 

[From Rivington's Royal Gazette, No. 339, Dec. 29, 1779.] 

Savannah, /\.th Nov., 1779. 
* * " ^OU will fee a full Account of 
-*- what has been doing here ; and 
as I know you wifh to hear how Matters 
went, I will give you a concife Account of 
the mofl material Circumftances. 

" Count d'Eftaing's Fleet appeared off 
the Bar the 4th of September, faid to be 
46 in all — 25 of them Ships of the Line; 
and came to anchor the 9th, and foon be- 
gan to land their Men and Guns, and were 
bufy in bringing every Force againft us till 
the 1 6th, when they appeared within 300 
Yards of our Lines — upwards of 4,000 
French, and 3,000 Rebels. They fent in 
a Flag, and demanded the Town. General 
Prevofl defired twenty-four Hours to con- 
lider, in which Time we were reinforced 

1 One of the Aids-de-Camp of Gen. Prevoft. The Letter 
was addreffed to his Wife. 



Siege of Savannah. 83 

with 800 Men, under the Command of 
Colonel Maitland, from Carolina. This 
made us about 2,000 ftrong, and fo very 
faucy as to refufe to let Monjieur and 'Jona- 
than in. 

" The Enemy began to encamp on the 
22d to break Ground within 200 Yards of 
our Centre, and we kept amufing them 
with our great Guns, fo that they could 
fcarce work in the Day Time. On the 
24th, a Sortie of the Light Infantry, with 
150 Men, was made on the French In- 
trenchments to make them fhew them- 
felves, which they did on our Lads firing 
in upon them, and retreating back full 
fpeed; and at that Inftant our Batteries 
kept a conftant Fire on the Enemy, and 
killed (from their own Account) upwards 
of 90 Men. We loft but one Officer and 
three Men. That fame Night, the French 
and Rebels got fighting with one another 
thro' Miftake, and 'tis faid upwards of 130 
killed before they difcovered what they 
were about. From this Time to the 2d 



84. Journal of the 

Day of October there was no firing from 
the Enemy, but we kept conftantly amufing 
them with Shot and Shell, by Day and 
Night, that did great Execution. 

" This Morning, the 2d of Od:ober, as 
we fired our Morning Gun, they opened 
one of the moft tremendous Firings I ever 
heard ; from 37 Pieces of Cannon — moftly 
i8-Pounders, and 9 Mortars, in Front, and 
fixteen Pieces of Cannon from the River, 
on our Left — moftly 24-Pounders. The 
Town was torn to Pieces, and nothing but 
Shrieks from Women and Children to be 
heard. Many poor Creatures were killed 
in trying to get in their Cellars, or hide 
themfelves under the Bluff of Savannah 
River. The Firing lafted for fome Hours, 
and a Flag was fent from us to Count 
d'Eftaing, to allow Time for the Women 
and Children to go to an Ifland out of 
Danger. 'Twas favagely refufed ; and that 
Night they began to fire again, and heave 
Carcafes and red Shot, which fet two Houfes 
on fire, and burnt them down ; but fome 



Siege of Savannah, 85 

proper Perfons being appointed to extin- 
guifli the Bombs, did it very efFed:ually, and 
prevented any further Conflagration. From 
this Time till the 9th, we kept firing by 
w^ay of Amufement at each other ; but on 
that Morning, juft before Day, our Lines 
were attacked from Right to Left, and it 
was not many Minutes before we found the 
real Storm was to the Right, on a Redoubt 
called the Carolina Redoubt ; and as I had 
the Honour of being one of General Pre- 
voll's Aids-de-Camp during the Siege, I 
was ordered to hafte to a Redoubt manned 
by the Militia, to hearten them up. This 
was about 200 Yards from the Scene of 
Adiion. 

" I found thefe brave Tories full of Spirit, 
ready to pour upon the Enemy (who were 
firing on them at too great a Diftance to 
kill) in Cafe they came within their Shot. 
On being convinced the Attack was not a 
Feint, I puflied on and arrived juft as Vic- 
tory had declared in our Favor ; and fuch 
a Sight I never faw before. The Ditch 
M 



86 yournal of the 

was filled with Dead, and in Front, for 50 
Yards, the Field was covered with Slain. 
Many hung dead and wounded on the 
Abattis ; and for fome hundred Yards with- 
out the Lines, the Plain was ftrewed with 
mangled Bodies, killed by our Grape and 
Langridge.' 

" I pofted back to my General (who is as 
brave as Caefar), and gave him the pleafing 
Account. Soon after a Flag came from 
d'Eftaing for Liberty to bury their Dead, 
and requefted their Wounded. 'Twas 
granted. Another Flag came from General 
Lincoln, who commanded the Rebels, for 
the fame Purpofe, which was alfo granted ; 
and that whole Day was taken up in this 
Service. The Attack in earneji, or more 
properly fpeaking, the Storni^ was with 
1,800 chofen Men, from every Regiment 
of French and Rebels, led by d'Eftaing, 
and many of the Nobility of France. Gen- 
eral Mclntofli- commanded the Rebel Col- 

' Langrcl, a kind of Chain-fliot, formed of Bolts, Nails, and 
Pieces of Iron fallened together. 
- General Lachlan Mclntofli. 



Siege of Savannah. 87 

umn ; but finding a very warm Reception, 
he prudently put to the Right-about, not 
without a great Lofs ; as, from the Account 
of Deferters, the Rebels loft over 500. 
The French honeftly own they have loft in 
killed 800, and many wounded. D'Eftaing 
is wounded in two Places very badly. Pu- 
lafki was thought dangeroufly fo, now dead. 
Many French Officers of diftindtion killed, 
as well as Rebels. I faw my old Friend, 
Charles Mott, a Major, among the Dead, 
but recollected no other quondam Acquaint- 
ance. 

"From this Time to the 20th October, 
we amufed each other with Shot and Shells; 
and on that Morning we found the Enemy 
had deferted their Lines and gone off. 
Much Credit is due to this little Army, and 
I hope they will have it. Poor Pollard, 
my Affiftant, was killed the 4th of Odober 
by an i8-Pounder, my fine valuable Negro 
Carpenter the 7th, and a beautiful Mare 
that coft me 20 Guineas ; my Store of 
Wine, all broke by Shot and Shells, and 



8 8 Journal of the 

my Quarters torn to Pieces ; but this is 
Neighbor's Fate, and the whole Town is 
in the fame State. 

" Be it remembered that not more than 
150 in the Redoubt, and 60 Grenadiers of 
the 60th, who had mounted the Walls, de- 
feated this combined Force of 1,800 chofen 
Men, who attacked the weakeft Part of 
our whole Lines ; indeed, two Batteries, 
manned by the gallant Tars of old Eng- 
land, kept a conftant Blaze to the Right 
and Left on the Enemy, and greatly con- 
tributed to the Honour of the Day — the 
glorious 9th of 0(5tober. 

" As this Account is not for the Prefs, I 
fhall fay nothing of Individuals, more than 
that everybody behaved well. 

"Killed and Wounded on our Side dur- 
ing the Siege, 163." 

T. W. Moore. 



Siege of Savannah. 89 

Summons of Count D'EJiaing. 

BY AUTHORITY. 

THE Following is a faithful Tranflation 
of the Compte d'Eftaing's Summons, 
fent to Major General Prevoft, requiring a 
Surrender of the Town of Savannah to the 
King of France. 

" Count d'Eftaing fummons his Excel- 
lency General Prevoft, to furrender himfelf 
to the Arms of his Majefty the King of 
France : He admonifhes him, that he 
will be perfonally anfwerable, for every 
Event and Misfortune attending a Defence, 
demonftrated abfolutely impoffible and ufe- 
lefs, from the Superiority of the Force 
which attacks him by Land and by Sea. 
He alfo warns him, that he will be nomin- 
ally and perfonally anfwerable, hencefor- 
ward ; for the burning previous to, or at 
the Hour of the Attack, of any Ships or 
VelTels of War, or Merchant Ships in the 
Savannah River, as well as of Magazines 
in the Town. 



QO yournal of the 

"The Situation of the Morne de l'Hos- 
PITAL, in Grenada, the Strength of the 
three Redoubts, which defended it, the 
Difproportion betwixt the Number of the 
French Troops now before Savannah, and 
the inconfiderable Detachment which took 
Grenada by AfTault, fhould be a LelTon for 
the Future. Humanity requires that Count 
d'Eftaing fhould remind you of it. After 
this he can have no Reproach to make to 
himfelf. Lord McCartney had the good 
Fortune to efcape in Perfon, on the firft 
Onfet of Troops, forcing a Town Sword 
in Hand, but having (hut up his valuable 
Effedis in a Port deemed impregnable by 
all his Officers and Engineers, it was im- 
poffible for Count d'Eftaing to be happy 
enough to prevent the whole being pillaged. 
" Signed Estaing."' 

1 I'he Continuation of this Correfpondence will be found in 
the Appendix. 



Siege of Savannah. 91 



Correspondence between the British 
AND Allied Commanders, at Savan- 
nah. 

[From Rivington's Royal Gazette, No. 358, March 4, 1780.] 

Copy of a Letter from Major General Prevoft 

to Count d' Efiaing, fo772e Days previous to 

the Attack upon that Place, with his An- 

fwer thereto, and that of the Rebel General 

Lincoln. 

Camp Savannah, 6th OB., 1779. 

Sir, 

I AM perfuaded your Excellency will do 
me the Juftice to believe, that I con- 
ceive, in defending this Place, and the Army 
committed to my Charge, I fulfil what is 
due to Honor and Duty to my Prince. 
Sentiments of a different Kind, occafion 
the Liberty of now addreffmg myfelf to 
your Excellency; they are thofe of Hu- 
manity. The Houfes of Savannah are oc- 
cupied folely by Women and Children. 
Several of them have applied to me, that I 
might requeft the Favour you would allow 



92 yournal of the 

them to embark on board a Ship or Ships, 
and go down the River under the Protec- 
tion of yours, until the Bufinefs is decided. 
If this Requifition you are fo good as to 
grant, my Wife and Children, with a few 
Servants, fhall be the Firfh to profit by the 
Indulgence. 

I have the Honour to be, with proper 
Refped:, Sir, Your Excellency's moft 
obedient and humble Servant. 
A. Prevost. 
His Excellency, 

Count d'Eftaing, &c., &c. 



Reply to the Foregoing Letter. 

Camp before Savannah, OB. 6, 1779. 
Sir, 
\^7E are perfuaded that your Excellency 
^ * knows all that your Duty prefcribes ; 
perhaps your Zeal has already interfered 
with your Judgment. 

The Count d'Eftaing, in his own Name, 
notified to you, that you would be perfon- 



Siege of Savannah. 93 

ally and alone refponiible for the Confe- 
quences of your Obllinacy. The Time 
which you informed him, in the Com- 
mencement of the Siege, would be ne- 
celfary for the Arrangement of Articles 
including different Orders of Men in your 
Town, had no other Objed: than that of 
receiving Succor. Such Condud:, Sir, is 
fufficient to forbid every Intercourfe be- 
tween us, which might occalion the leaft 
Lofs of Time ; belides, in the prefent Ap- 
plication, latent Reafons might again exift ; 
there are military ones, which in frequent 
Inftances have prevented the Indulgence 
you requeft. It is with Regret we yield 
to the Aufterity of our Fund:ions ; and we 
deplore the Fate of thofe Perfons who will 
be Vidtims of your Condud;, and the De- 
lufion which appears to prevail in your 
Mind.' 

1 This Refufal was probably occafioned by the Faft, that 
General Prevoft had himfelf aftiially denied a fimilar Applica- 
tion, made by General Mclntofli, in behalf of his Wife and 
Family, and fuch other Females as might choofe to avail them- 
felves of his Courtefy.— Stevens's Hijl. Georgia, ii, 214. . 

N 



94- 



Journal of the 



We are, with Refped:, Sir, Your Excel- 
lency's moft obedient Servants, 

B, Lincoln, 

D'ESTAING. 

His Excellency, 

Major General Prevoft. 



Liiji of French Forces at Savannah. 

^"f^HE following is handed about as a 
Lift of the French Force employed 
againft this Province on their late Expedi- 
tion : 



Ships. 


Guns. 


Ships. 


Guns. 


Languedoc, 


- 90 


Heaor, 


74 


Tonant, 


80 


Marfellois, 


- 74 


Robufte, 


- 74 


Vaillant, 


- 64 


C as far, 


74 


Sphinx, - 


- 64 


Annibal, 


- 74 


Recole, 


- 64 


Fendant, 


74 


Fantafque, 


- 64 


Dauphin Royal, 


- 74 


Reflechi, - 


- 64 


Zele, - 


74 


Provence, 


- 64 


Magniflque, - 


- 74 


Artefien, 


- 64 


Vengeur, 


74 


Sagitaire, 


- 50 


Guerrier, 


- 74 


Fier, - 


50 


Triumph, - 


74 


Fortune, 


- 36 



Siege of Savannah. 



95 



Ships. 


Guns. 


Amazon, 


39 


Iphygenie, 


- 36 


Blance, 


32 


Boudeufe, 


- 32 


Chimere, - 


26 


Ellis, - 


- 26 



Ships. Guns. 

Truite, - - 26 

Lively, - - - 20 

Ceres, - - 18 

Fleur de la Mere, - 16 

Alert, - - 12 

Barrington, - - 8 

With feveral unarmed Sloops and Schooners 
for debarking Troops. 

Land Forces. 

^ 600 of the Regiment of Anhalt. 

600 of the Regiment of Auxerrois. 

500 of the Regiment of Dillon. 

1,000 of the Regiment of the Cape. 

700 Martinico Volunteers. 

1,000 of the Cape Regiment of Color. 
1,000 of the Corps of Marines. 

400 Volunteers. 



Total, 5,800 



Burlesque Letter, Attributed to a 
French Officer. 

[From Rivington's Royal Gazette, No. 343, Jan. 12, 1780.] 

THE following was Yefterday brought 
to Town by a Gentleman from Rhode 
Illand. The Original was found on board 



96 Journal of the 

the Sloop from Georgia, which went into 
that Harbour after the Britifli had left it : 

EjXtraB of a Letter from a French Officer 
off Tybee I/land, to his Friend i?i Charles 
Town, dated OBober 21, 1779. 

*' The Count d'Eftaing is the Wonder 
of the Age. Casfar and Alexander were 
nothing to him. He's a brave Fellow, and 
fcorns to fteal a Vi6tory, or take an Advan- 
tage of the Superiority of Numbers. In 
Savannah, there was not enough of them 
to give us a Breakfaft. We might have 
ftarved them in their Works, had not the 
Magnanimity of the Count interpofed in 
their Favour ; and what I have often told 
you will now be confirmed without a 
Doubt, that the Englifli are a Parcel of 
rude, unpoliilied Savages. He, good Man, 
tho't it ungenerous, with an Army three 
Times their Number, to cut them to pieces, 
which he could ealily have done, and there- 
fore led on to the Attack only a fmall De- 
tachment of ours, with a Determination to 



Siege of Savannah. 97 

make them Prifoners of War, (this in 
Confidence he communicated to Count 
Dillon and myfelf the Evening before), 
but the rudenefs of thofe Sea-monflers pre- 
vented his generous Intentions, having mif- 
took Pity for Cowardice, they had the 
Infolence to fire on the Grand Monarque s 
Troops before our Maneuvre could be exe- 
cuted. This of courfe was attended with 
fome Lofs, and as you will readily conceive, 
occafioned a little Confiijion, the Americans 
in their Flight, having [by Mijlake) fired on 
their great and good Allies. However as 
the Engli£h, by this imprudent Conduct, 
have forfeited all Title to Mercy, they 
mud expert to pay dearly for their Pre- 
fumption, whenever we do them the Honour 
of paying them another Vifit, which I 
hope will be before long, when I would 
advife them to make their Wills before 
they dare look us in the Face again, as the 
Count has fworn to facrifice their whole 
Army to the Honour and Glory of the French 
Arms. 



9 8 yournal of the 

" We are on the Eve of failing again for 
the Weft Indies, where we fhall continue 
a few Months. The barren Sands of 
Georgia being beneath our Notice, having 
indeed found by Experience that they by 
no Means agree with our Conftitutions. 

*' The Harmony, my dear Sir, which 
fubfifted between the Noble Coufit and Gen- 
eral Lincoln, was aftonifliing ; and if you 
confider the Satisfaction exprelTed in the 
Condud: of their Officers, Valour of their 
Troops, and the Showers of Compliments 
rained down upon them for their In- 
trepidity, you cannot I am fure, doubt 
but that the Advantage was on our Side, 
notwithjlanding the Affair feeins to drag after 
it fonie Difagre cables. It is true we left 
fome of our Baggage behind, which was 
not worth bringing off, and which I make 
no Doubt, thefe poor half ftarved Devils, 
the Anglois Georgians, will be very glad to 
pick up, when they find we have left their 
Goaf clear.'' 



Siege of Savannah. 99 

[From the New Jerfey Gazette, December 8, 1779.] 

Charlejiowriy OBober 20. 

" nr^HE following are fome of the Rea- 
-*- fons that have been affigned, why 
the AlTault on Savannah did not fucceed, 
viz : 

" I ft. The Enemy having a much more 
numerous Garrifon than had been repre- 
fented ; being faid to conlift of 1,700 ef- 
fediive Regulars, and a great Number of 
Sailors, Marines, Militia and armed Blacks. 
" 2d. Their having the Advantage of 
the Prefence, Skill, and Activity of fo able 
and indefatiguable an Officer as the Hon. 
Col. Maitland ; who, while our Army was 
obliged to wait for the bringing up proper 
Cannon and Mortars from the Fleet, (which 
took up many Days, and was attended with 
inconceivable Difficulties, on Account of 
the Diftance of the Shipping, and a Series 
of tempeftuous Weather,) was Night and 
Day incelTantly engaged in adding to the 
Strength and Number of the Works ; upon 



loo yournal of the 

which it is faid, he employed about 2,000 
Negroes. 

" 3d. The Enemy having by fome Means 
or other, difcovered the Approach of our 
Columns a full Hour before it was poilible 
for them to reach their refpe6tive Stations ; 
by which they had an Opportunity of pour- 
ing upon their AlTailants fuch a heavy and 
incelTant Front, Flank, and CrolT-lire, as 
no Troops whatever could have fuftained, 
without being difordered, and occafioned 
the Order for difcontinuing the AlTault, 
even while the brave French Troops had 
gained one of the Enemy's Works, and 
ours, as brave Troops, another. 

" Several Frigates having been difpatched 
from the Count d'Eftaing's Fleet on differ- 
ent Routes, and feveral other very ftriking 
Circumftances have given Rife to a Con- 
jecture that a ftrong combined Squadron 
will foon appear in a Quarter where leaft 
expedied. One of the Frigates, it is faid, 
has been met fteering for Havanna, and 
another going into Chefapeak Bay." — Royal 
Gazette, Dec. 18. 



Siege of Savannah. 



lOI 



[From the New Jerfey Gazette, dated November 24, 1779.] 

^'IVTOVEMBER 23. Several Ships of 
-L^ Force, belonging to Comte D'Ef- 
taing's Fleet, arrived in Chefapeak Bay for 
the Purpofe of landing a few fick and 
wounded Men, and taking Frovifions ; this 
being accompliflied, they are immediately 
to proceed for their Station in the Weft 
Indies." — Royal Gazette, Dec. 4. 



[From the Royal Gazette, December 18, 1779.] 

BY 'Accounts brought from Chefapeak, 
we are informed there are in that Bay 
one French Ship of War of 74, and one 
of 64 Guns. They had landed about fix 
hundred Sick, Wounded, and other truly 
miferable Objedis, rendered fuch by the 
direful Service before Savannah, — their 
Numbers of Seamen fo much reduced that 
they could not hand more than one Sail at 
a Time, and that they had loft feventy 
Anchors and Cables when oft" the Coaft of 
O 



I02 yournal of the 

Georgia ; that the Comte d'Eftaing was 
departed for Europe with ten Sail of the 
Line, feveral of which had loft their Rud- 
ders, and were otherwife much indifpofed. 
Several Sail of the Line had returned to 
the Weft Indies, unable to reach Chefa- 
peak — the Place appointed for Rendez- 
vous in Cafe of Separation ; and it was 
reported General Scot, one of the Virginian 
Commanders in the Rebel Service, was 
killed at the Siege of Savannah.' 



Journal of the Voyage of His Majeftfs Ship 
Experi?jte7ity Commafided by Sir James 
Wallace.'^ 

[From Rivington's Royal Gazette, No, 370, April 15, 1780.] 

* * * "QEPTEMBER 24, 1779, fpoke 

^ a Cartel from New Providence 

to Charleftown, with 65 Prifoners on board; 

Hilton Head, bearing W. N.W. The Car- 

1 I'his proved to be an Error. 

2 This Officer was the Son-in-law of Sir James Wright, the 
Britidi Governor of Georgia. 



Siege of Savannah. 103 

tel informed us of having feen 20 Sail 
under Hilton Head, and feemingly large 
Ships, and flood to the fouthward; quarter 
paft four, the Wind N.W., law three large 
Ships in the S.W. Quarter; wore and 
made all the Sail we could from them, 
fleering N.E. At 5 found them in Chafe 
of us, and faw two Sail to the weflward 
bearing down upon us ; turned all Hands to 
Quarters. At eight, they hoifled French 
Colours; and the Sagitarius coming very 
clofe up with us, fhe brought to, and gave 
us two Broadfides. We then drew from 
her. But few of her Shot reached us. Got 
up a large fore Yard and Sail, and made all 
the Sail we could from them. The Sagi- 
tarius wore, and made Sail after us again. 
At half paft eight got within half Gun 
Shot. We hoifled our Colors, and came 
to Adiion with her, during which Time all 
the other Ships being within Gun Shot of 
us, we ftruck our Colours, having neither 
Mafls or Sails to command our Ship. The 
Ships coming up with us were two Seventy- 



I04 yournal of the 

fours^ two Frigates and the Sagitaire of ^^ 
Giins."^ 



[From the Pennfylvania Journal, dated March i, 1780.] 

Baltimore^ February 22. 
\ CORRESPONDENT who arrived in 
-^ ^ Town ]aft Night from Virginia, hath 
been fo obliging as to communicate the 
following Intelligence : 

" That an Exprefs from Charleftown 
(South Carolina), reached Peterlburgh^ the 
13th inftant, with a Difpatch from Gen. 
Lincoln to Gen. Scott, advifing him THAT 
THE ENEMY HAD RECEIVED A 
STRONG REINFORCEMENT AT SA- 
VANNAH, fuppofed to be the Troops 
which left New York in December ^ laft, — 
That in Confequence, Orders were immedi- 
ately fent to Gen. Woodford, to haften the 
March of the Virginia Troops, the laft of 

1 Sir James Wallace was fent to France for Exchange, there 
not being an Officer of equal Rank for Exchange in the Country. 

2 On Appo?nattox River, Virginia. 

3 The zdth of December. 



Siege of Savannah, 105 

whom left Frederickfburgh' on Friday laft, 

That Gen. Hogan and his Brigade were 

met the 3d inft. ten Miles fouthward of 
Halifax, North Carolina, — That the Fe7i- 
dant,'' a French Man-of-War of the Line, 
left the Capes the 4th inftant." — Royal Ga- 
zette, March 8, 1780. 



Burlefqiie upon an Appeal by Congrefs to the 
People of the United States. 

[From Rivington's Royal C^^zette, No. 333, Dec. 8, J 779.] 

To THE Congress, 
High and Mighty Fate Fixers. 

IN your laft Addrefs to the good People 
of America, you roundly afferted, (ra- 
ther too precipitately I guefs,) " the Inde- 
pendence of America was fixed as Fate."^ 
The late Difafter in Georgia, and the Suc- 

1 On Rappahanock River, Virginia. 

2 0/74 Guns, Mons. Vaupieuil Commander. 

3 The Spirit, but not the Language of this Sentiment is em- 
braced in the Addrefs of Congrefs to the People upon the 
Subjedl of the Finances and Public Debt, dated September 1 3, 
1779. 



I o6 Journal of the 

cefs of the Britifh Admiral in the Weft 
Indies, make it necelTary again to addrefs 
the worthy Yeomen, leaft they lliould 
withhold the necelTary Supplies of Bread 
and Pork to your great and good Allies ; 
but, as I prefume, with d'Eftaing and Lin- 
coln, you are a little chagrined leaft the 
Opportunity fhould be loft ; I have ven- 
tured to indite the following, at the Service 
of your High MightinelTes, and am, till 
Fate brings on a Reftoration, Yours, 

Oliver. 

The Addrefs of the Congrefs of the Utiited 
States to the Good People, the Far??iers. 

Tyl THEN you conlider the Bondage you 
^ ~ groaned under, when fubjed: to the 
Britifti Government ; we flatter ourfelves 
you will not be fo loft to your own Feelings, 
and the facred Liberty of your Country, 
as to withhold the necelTary Supplies for 
our great, good and gallant Allies ; who, 
" having fought and bled freely in your 
Country's Service," are now come amongft 



Siege of Savan?iah. 107 

you to eat fparingly and leifurely, of your 
Bread and Pork. We afTured you in our 
former Addrefs, " Your Independence was 
fixt as Fate," becaufe founded on your 
Virtue, and love of your Country. You 
have now a glorious Opportunity of putting 
it to the Tryal, and by furnilhing our good 
Allies with Provilions, fhewing your difin- 
terejfted Patriotifm. And as a further En- 
couragement to the virtuous Yeomen of 
thefe States, We do Refohe, That the Farm- 
ers of thefe States Ihall, during the Space 
of fix Months, be exempt from all Taxes 
whatfoever, on the following Conditions : 

That they immediately deliver to Com- 
mittees appointed for that Purpofe, all 
their Wheat, Flour, Rye and Indian Corn, 
together with all the Beef and Pork, re- 
ferving for themfelves and Families, all the 
Bran, Hufks and Oats, together with the 
Offal of the faid Beef and Pork ; and in 
order to obviate all Objections to the above 
reafonable Requeft, We further ordain, that 
the faid Farmers deliver all their Horfes to 



io8 yournal of the 

the Quarter Mafter General, for the Benefit 
of the States, who will furnifli Oats from 
the Continental Store, and thereby leave a 
fufficient Supply of Oat-meal for the faid 
Farmers and their Families : It will be 
expelled, as the faid Farmers will then 
have little Ufe for their Hay and Straw, 
they will fend it to the Quarter Mafter 
General, with the faid Horfes, to be given 
gratis. 

And Whereas, it appears to us incon- 
fiftent, that any of our fellow Beings 
fliould remain in a State of Slavery, whilft 
we, for this three Years, laft paft, have 
enjoyed the great and glorious Privileges 
of Liberty; 

JVe do Refohe, That all Negroes in 
Slavery, fhall after the firft Day of January 
next, be free from their Mafters, and one 
half of them delivered over to his Moft 
Chriftian Majefty, the King of France's 
Ambalfador, to fatisfy fome urgent Claims, 
which we at this Time are not able to 
anfwer. The other half of the aforefaid 



Siege of Savanitah. 109 

Negroes, to be hired out to fuch Mafters, 
as a Committee appointed for that Purpofe 
(liall approve. 

And Whereas, it appears to us, juft and 
necelTary that the faid Negroes^ for the 
great and valuable Bleffings of Freedom, 
fhould contribute to the public Expences 
of thefe States, we further ordain, that the 
whole of the faid Negroes' Wages be paid 
into the public Treafury. 

And to the GOOD PEOPLE of America 
in general we Declare : 

That immediately on the Arrival of 
Count d'Eftaing at Georgia, we did pro- 
claim a general Day of Thankfgiving, to 
be held in thefe States, on the ninth Day of 
December next, not doubting but a com- 
plete Victory over all the Britiih Forces in 
Georgia was " fixt as Fate ;" but it has 
pleafed the Lord, tor our fparing the Tories, 
the Amalekites, and taking only their Sheep 
and Oxen, their Negroes and Land, to 
fuffer us to be defeated, and his Moft 
P 



no yournal of the 

Chriftian Majefty's Exertions to refcue us 
from Slavery to prove abortive; 

We therefore declare it our Will and 
Pleafure, that the faid ninth Day of De- 
cember, be turned into a Day of Failing 
and Humiliation, by all thofe who think 
it moft proper at this Time. 

Neverthelefs, anxious not to deprefs the 
Spirits of the good People of thefe States, 
we further declare, that all thofe who 
chufe to make it a Day of Thankfgiving ; 
may with Propriety, thank God it is no 
worfe. 



Eulogy upon Colonel Maitland. 

[Lieutenant Colonel John Maitland, of the 71ft Regiment, 
after iTiaring the Labors of the Siege, fickened and died of a 
Fever on the 25th of Oftober, 1779, at Savannah, His Rank 
as Lieutenant Colonel dated from Odtober 14, 1778. A Let- 
ter, dated November 18, 1779, and publiflied in the Royal 
Gazette, December 15th, 1779, fays:] 

" ^ I ^HE late Colonel Maitland was one 

^ of the moft active Officers at the 

Commencement, and during the Progrefs 



Siege of Savannah. 



Ill 



of the prefent War. His Zeal and Gal- 
lantry were fufficient Incitements to lead 
him where Danger dignified and rendered 
a Port honourable. Though he polTelTed an 
eafy Fortune, had a Seat in the Houfe of 
Commons, and was of an advanced Age, 
yet he never availed himfelf of fuch pow- 
erful Pretenfions, or exprelTed a Defire of 
retiring from the Field of Honour. Un- 
fhaken Loyalty, genuine Patriotifm, un- 
daunted Bravery, judicious Condud:, fteady 
Coolnefs, and unremitting Perfeverance, 
conftituted his Character as an Officer. 
His Benevolence was ever exerted when 
Indigence prefented; he not only relieved, 
but fympathized with the DiftreiTed. To 
inform him of any Perfon that required 
charitable Exertion was an ample Recom- 
mendation : His Difpofition was fo ex- 
tremely amiable, that to know him was to 
admire him. His Addrefs was eafy and 
engaging ; his Language ftrong, nervous 
and perfuafive. His Affability rendered 
him pleafmg to every Obferver. He was 



112 



yournal of the 



beloved by his Friends, refpe6ted by his 
Acquaintances, and revered by every Offi- 
cer and Soldier who had the Happinefs to 
be under his Command. His Country 
will feel the Lofs of fo accomplifhed a 
Chief; his Acquaintances long lament the 
Lofs of fo valuable a Friend ; the Indigent 
fearch in vain for another fo eminently 
Benevolent ; and the Soldiers, long accuf- 
tomed to his plealing Command, lament 
his Death, and revere his Memory." 



On the Death of Colonel Maitland. 

By Mrs. D[elance]y. 
[From Rivington's Royal Gazette, No. 373, April 26, 1780.] 

/^'ER Maitland's Corfe, as Vidory reclin'd, 
^^ Relieving on the Fate of human Kind; 
Is this, (flie cried), the End of all thy Toils? 
What now await thy Laurels, or thy Spoils ? 
Worn with Fatigue, thou cam'll thy Friends to fave, 
Saw them reliev'd — then funk into the Grave. 
Now Grief and Joy together mix their Cries, 
Savannah's fav'd — yet gen'rous Maitland dies ! 
In vain around, thy conqu'ring Soldiers weep. 
Thy Eyes are clof'd in Death's eternal Sleep ; 
Yet while a grateful King and Country fighs. 



Siege of Savannah, 113 

O'er the lov'd Adies, Marbles proud, {hall rife ) 
Nay, e'en the Foe, releaf'd awhile from Fear, 
Confefs thy Virtues and bellow a Tear ; 
Own, that as Valour ftrung thy nervous Arm, 
To gende Pity did thy Bofom warm — 
Oh! double Praife to make the Haughty bend, 
Yet make a vanquifli't Enemy a Friend ; 
Thus Maidand falls — but his undying Name 
Shall fhine for ever in the Rolls of Fame. 

The Spirit of Colonel Maitland to 
Mrs. D y, on the foregoing Lines. 

ElyJiaTi Fields. 

T?ROM thofe blell: Realms where Joys eternal reign, 

*- Accept my Thanks, D y, for thy Strain. 

Within a World, to Mahce ever prone, 

Where generous Candor is but feldom known, 

Where Cenfure's thoufand Tongues unceafmg wound. 

And private Virtue in the Foe is drown'd ; 

'Twas kindly done a Soldier's Name to fave, ■ 

Nor let it perifli with him in the Grave. 

What, tho' my Country to her Warriors gone, 

Mav grateful raife a monumental Stone, 

A few fhort Years their Courfes fhall roll o'er. 

And the vain Strufture will exill no more; 

But far beyond whate'er a Nation pays. 

My Soul efteems the fair D y's Praife. 

Where's now the haughty Heav'n afpiring Tomb, 
Rear'd for her Ca;far, by afflidled Rome ? 
Fall'n beneath the ruthlefs Hand of Age ! 
Yet Csfar lives in Maro's facred Page ! 



114- Journal of the 

So when in Ruin lies the laurel'd Bull, 

And Tombs and Statues moulder in the Dufl:, 

Thy Verfe, D y, fhall tranfmit to Fame 

Immortal as your own, your Maitland's Name. 



Epitaph on the Honourable Colonel Maitland. 

[From Rivington's Royal Gazette, No. 401, Aug. 2, 1780.J 

TXTHEN Gallic Perfidy and Rebel Pride, 
Prefumed the Britifh Lion to fubdue. 
With rapid Wing, but not before untried. 

From Beaufort's Banks the gallant Maitland flew. 

In Time to fave, he reached Savannah's Coaft, 
The Force of France, and perjured Foes defied; 

Repell'd, difperf'd the formidable Hoft, 

Preferv'd a Country, bleiT'd the Day, and died. 



Opening of 'Trade with Georgia. 

[From Rivington's Royal Gazette, No. 383, May 31, 1780.] 

Dublin^ March 1 4. 

THIS Day at Noon, the Lord Mayor 
received two Letters from the Com- 
miffioners of his Majefty's Revenue, of 
which the following are Copies : 



Siege of Savannah. 115 

My Lord. 

I am commanded by the Commiffioners 
of his Majefty's Revenue to tranfmit to 
your Lordfliip, for the Information of the 
Merchants and Traders of this City, the 
inclofed Copy of a Letter which the Board 
have this Day received from John Robin- 
fon, Efqr., Secretary to the Right Honour- 
able the Lords Commiffioners of his Ma- 
jesty's Treafury, from which it appears, 
that the Province of Georgia is declared 
to be in the Peace of his Majefty. 

I have the Honour to be, my Lord, your 
Lordfliip's moft humble Servant, 

W. MOLESWORTH. 

Cujiom Houfe, Dublin, March 14, 1780. 
Rt. Hon. Lord Mayor. 



My Lords and Gentlemen. 

HAVING laid before the Lords Com- 
miffioners of his Majefty's Treafury 
a Letter from Lord George Germain, dated 



1 1 6 yournal of the 

the iith of February laft, tranfmitting the 
Copy of a Proclamation which has been 
publillied in Georgia, declaring that Pro- 
vince in the Peace of his Majefty, and 
defiring my Lord will give the necelTary 
Directions to the Officers of the Revenue 
throughout his Majefty's Dominions, to 
permit the fame Trade and Intercourfe 
with Georgia as might lawfully be carried 
on before the Ad; of 15th of his prefent 
Majefty, unlefs where Alterations have been 
made by fubfequent ACls. I am com- 
manded by their Lordfliips to dired: you 
to give the necelfary Orders to your Offi- 
cers accordingly. 

I am, my Lords and Gentlemen, your 
moft humble Servant, 

John Robinson. 

Treafury Chambers, March 8, 1780. 
Com'rs Revenue, Ireland. 



Siege of Savannah. 1 1 7 



Letter with Criticifms upon the Siege of 
Savannah. 

[From Rivington's Royal Gazette, No. 428, Nov. 4, 1780.] 

To William Livingston, Efq/ 

Metiri fe quemque fuo Modulo ac Pede. venan ejt. Hor.2. 

T HAVE the Pleafure, which I wiih al- 
^ ways to enjoy, of being a Stranger to 
your Perfon. But who is a Stranger to 
your Character ? And what Charad:er but 
yours could meanly fkulk under Security, 
to profane the moft honored Names — to 
exult on the Fate of a patriot Martyr,^ — 
and, and with malignant Breath, attempt 
to blaft thofe Laurels, which will bloom 
when Livingfton is plunged among his 
kindred Fiends ? 

Having had Patience enough to perufe 
an Addrefs in Loudon's New York Cajket,'' 

' An ardent Patriot, and Governor of New Jerfey. 
-It is a Truth, that every one ought to meafure himfelf by 
his own proper Foot and Standard. — Smart's //ijr^f^, Epiftle vii. 
■^ Major Andre. 
4 Pubhnied at Fiflikill, N Y., at this Period. 

Q 



1 1 8 yournal of the 

figned Z, and faid to come from you, I 
cannot refift the benevolent Impulfe, of 
warning thofe who may unwarily take the 
fame Rubbilh, of the burning Embers it 
conceals. In attacking you with your 
own Weapon, the Pen, I do not undertake 
to convince you ; whoever points out the 
right Road, fhews the Way your Nature 
will not permit you to purfue. Tho' the 
envenomed Shafts of Malice cannot pene- 
trate your Armor of confcious Vice, (hall 
Malice bend her bow with Impunity ? 
Forbid it Juftice ! Forbid it, ye generous 
Feelings of Humanity ! 

You meafure all great and good Adiions 
by the Standard of a perverfe Mind, and 
cannot look for their Source, but in a black 
and vifcious Heart, like Livingfton's. Ma- 
levolence ever cafts a difmal Shade over 
the fineft Pictures, In the Language of 
your poifonous Tongue, you will defcribe 
Brutus as a tnere AlTafm, — Caefar as going 
to the Senate on the Ides of March, with 



Siege of Savannah. 119 

a torpid Mind^ — and Cato as dying with 
all his native Sullennefs. 

Callous to all the amiable Senfation 
which dignify human Nature, is it poffible 
for you to conceive why wife Men have 
deemed the greateft of all Victories to be, 
a Vid:ory over the Paffions ? When I re- 
fled: on a lignal Victory of this Kind, I 
feel myfelf compelled to turn from fo 
loathfome an Object as you are, and ex- 
claim with Shakefpeare's Prince, 

Thou haft been, 

As one, in fufFering all, haft fufFered nothing ; 
Give me the Man 

That is not Paflion's Slave, and I vi^ill wear him 
In my Heart's Core, ay, in my Heart of Hearts. » 

' " Since my dear Soul was Miftrefs of her Choice, 
And could of Men diftinguifh, her eleftion 
Hath feal'd thee for herfelf : for thou haft been 
As one, in fufFering all, that fufFers nothing; 
A Man, that Fortune's buffets and rewards 
Haft ta'en with equal I'hanks : and blefT'd are thofe, 
Whofe Blood and Judgment are fo well co-mingled. 
That they are not a Pipe for Fortune's Finger 
To found what Stop fhe pleafe. Give me that Man 
That is not Paffion's Slave, and I will wear him 
In my Heart's Core, ay, in my Heart of Heart, 
As I do thee." — Hamlet, Adl iii. Scene ii. 



I20 



Journal of the 



It is ftrange fo fhrewd a Politician as 
Mr. Livingfton thinks himfelf, fhould exceed 
the Limits of his Abilities, in difplaying 
his deep Difcoveries to the gaping Throng. 
As you have turn'd Soldier only, in your 
Clofet, 'twas fomewhat bold to decide fo 
peremptorily on Deeds of War. Accord- 
ingly, like an inexperienced General, you 
have expofed your weak Side to the Enemy, 
and rafhly attacked him where he is invul- 
nerable. Whether your Defcription of 
Charleftown^ is your own Offfpring, or the 
Tale of one of the trembling Garrifon, 
who view'd it thro' the falfe Medium of 
his Fears, it is equally immaterial ; its 
Falfehoodis notorious to Thoufands of brave 
Witnefles, and its improbability obvious to 
every military ProfelTor. 

When the invincible Troops of your great 
and good Ally, fupported by your renowned 
Continental Army appeared before Savannah, 

' Alluding to the Capture of Charlcfton, which occurred 
May 12, 1780. 



Siege of Savannah. 121 

it was judged imprudent to affault an almoft 
unfortified Port, thinly garrifoned, very 
moderately furniflied with Artillery, much 
extended, and deftitute of a fuperior naval 
Force. When a Body of Britifli Troops, 
not proportionally fuperior to the Numbers 
of the Garrifon, fliew themfelves before 
Charleftown, Mr. Livingfton, at his warn- 
ing Dejk, votes for the AJJault ; by which 
he, unawares, pays them the highefl: Com- 
pliment. The Place was provided with a 
Profulion of Artillery, and every kind of 
military Stores. 

No Place or Fortrefs can have greater 
natural Advantages than Charleftown. To- 
wards Afhley River, the only adjoining 
Water at firll: in the Power of the Allail- 
ants, there is one acceffible Landing. This 
the befieged had cautioully fortified in 
Front, and could have protected by a heavy 
interfedling Fire from various Batteries. 

On the Land Side, the Defences you ig- 
nominiouily term Intrenchments, would have 
been lefs formidable, had they been com- 



12 2 yournal of the 

pofed of more permanent Materials. Count 
d'Eftaing tired himfelf in trying to battre 
en breche againfi: the Sand Banks of Savan- 
nah. From the Days of GoHah to thofe 
of Livingfton, there never were Troops 
who could not call a Halt at a wide Ditch 
nine Feet deep, two Rows of Pallifades in 
its Bottom, and flanked with Cannon. 

Thefe confumate Generals, the Count 
d'Eftaing and General Lincoln, after having 
long remained " before fuch a Place " as 
Savannah, " with open Trenches, and all 
the Apparel of a regular Siege," tried an 
AJfault. They attempted to carry by Storm 
a fquare Redoubt, confifting limply of a 
Ditch and Sand Parapet, without a Palli- 
fade or Fraife on it ! The vaunting Grena- 
diers de France Sabre a la Main, took French 
Leave by a precipitate Flight, leaving Heaps 
of their martial Comrades in the Ditch, 
and immortal Glory with the Garrison. 

General Lincoln's SanBum SanBoruniy the 
horn Work, clofed in the Gorge, and fur- 
nifhed with the heavieft Cannon, juftly 



Siege of Savannah. 123 

claims the Title of a Fort. Beyond the 
intricate Line, no Obllruftion was omitted, 
and the fecond Ditch was enfiladed by the 
Cannon of the Outworks.^ -^ * * * 
The Efplanade extended near a Mile; in 
which Space not a Houfe, Tree or even 
Poft was left ftanding. The Flatnefs of the 
Ground made this Efplanade very advan- 
tageous to the Belieged ; while.the impaf- 
fable Marfhes from each River, forming a 
Kind of Ifthmus at every two hundred 
Yards, under the Line of five of their 
braveft Batteries, made it impoffible to ap- 
proach, otherwife than by the judicious 
Refource adopted. 

Whoever refledis on the aftonifhing Can- 
nonade maintained for io long a Time, by 
the Garrifon of Charlefton, and compares 
it with the Lofs of its Enemy, will bellow 
no great Share of Glory on the Former, for 
betraying Terror in a random and ill di- 
rected Fire ; furely no Soldier can withhold 

' The Subjed here changes from Savannah to Charlefton. 



124 yournal of the 

due Praife from the Latter, for having 
gained the glorious Prize at fo fmall an 
Expenfe. Little more Labour would have 
made a Variety of pradiicable Breaches in 
the Works, and Charleston would have 
felt the Fury of incenfed Brittons. The 
frightened Garrifon knew it, and obtained 
what they folicited — not Glory ^ but Mer- 
cy — a celeftial Virtue, and of courfe un- 
known to Livingston. 

A Soldier. 



Advertifement . 

[From Rivington's Royal Gazette, No. 333, Dec. 8, 1779-] 

THE gallant and intrepid Conduct of 
the brave GARRISON at SAVAN- 
NAH demanding the warmeft Acknow- 
ledgment from every loyal Breaft, it is 
propofed to raife a Fund for the Purpofe of 
relieving the Sick, Wounded, and Families 
of thofe who have fallen ; as well as to give 
fuch Affiftance to the Soldiers, as Circum- 
ftances will admit. A Subfcription for 



Siege of Savannah. 125 

thefe Purpofes is now refpe6tfully offered ; 
the Money to be difpofed of agreeable to 
the Opinion of a general Meeting of the 
Subfcribers, with the Approbation of his 
Excellency the Commander-in-Chief. In 
the Mean-time a Committee of fixteen is 
appointed to colled: Subfcriptions. 

N. B. Donations will be received by Mr. 
Rivington and Mr. Gaine. 

Charle/lowfi, S. Carolina, OBober 26. 

LAST Thurfday Evening, [Odober 21ft, 
1779,] the Hon. Major General Lin- 
coln, commanding the Troops in the 
Southern Department, returned here from 
the fouthward. — Quoted in the Royal Gazette 
December 29, 1779. 




R 




APPENDIX. 



Correspondence between Count D'Es- 

TAING AND GeNERAL PrEVOST. 

Continued from Page 94. 

Reply of Major General Prevoft to the Sum- 
mons of Count UEjiaing. 

Savannah, September 16, 1779. 
Sir, 

I AM iuft now honored with your Excellency's 
Letter of this Date, containing a Summons 
for me to furrender this Town to the Arms 
of his Majefty the King of France; which I 
had juft delayed to anfwer till I had (hown it to 
the King's civil Governor. 

I hope your Excellency will have a better 
Opinion of me, and of BritiOi Troops, than to 
think either will furrender on general Summons, 
without any fpecific Terms. 

If you, Sir, have any to propofe, that may 



128 Appendix. 

with honour be accepted of by me, you can 

mention them, both with regard to Civil and 

Military; and I will then give my Anfwer, 

In the mean Time I will promife, upon my 

Honour, that nothing with my Confent or 

Knowledge, fhall be deftroyed in either this 

Town or River. 

A. Prevost. 

His Excellency, Count D'Eftaing, Command- 
ing the French Forces, &c. &c. 



Letter from Count D'EJiatng to General 
Prevoji. 

Camp before Savannah, Sept. i6tb, IJJ^. 
Sir, 

IHAVE juft received your Excellency's An- 
fwer to the Letter I had the Honour of 
writing to you this Morning. You are fenfible 
that it is the Part of the Befieged to propofe 
fuch Terms as they may defire ; and you cannot 
doubt of the Satisfadion I fhall have in con- 
fenting to thofe which I can accept confiftently 
with my duty. 

I am informed that you continue intrenching 
yourfelf. It is a Matter of very little Impor- 



Appejtdix, 129 

tance to me ; however for Form's fake, I muft 
defire that you will defift during our Confer- 
ences. 

The different Columns which I had ordered 
to ftop, will continue their March, but without 
approaching your Pofts, or reconnoitering your 
Situation. 

I have the Honour to be, with Refpeft, 
Sir, your Excellency's moft humble 
and moft obedient Servant, 

EsTAING. 

His Excellency, General Prevoft, Major Gene- 
ral in the Service of his Britannic Majefty, 
and Commander in Chief at Savannah, in 
Georgia. 

P. S. I appraife your Excellency that I have 
not been able to refufe the Army of the United 
States, uniting itfelf with that of the King. 

The Jundion will probably be effeded this 
Day. If I have not an Anfwer therefore im- 
mediately, you muft confer in future with Gene- 
ral Lincoln and me. 



130 Appe?tdix. 



Reply of General Prevojl. 

Savannah, September 16, 1779. 
Sir, 

I AM honored with your Excellency's Letter 
in reply to mine of this Day. 

The Bufinefs we have had in Hand being of 
importance, there being various Interefts to 
difcufs, a juft Time is abfolutely neceffary to 
deliberate. I am therefore to propofe that a 
Ceflation of Hoftilities fhall take place for 
twenty-four Hours from this Date; and to 
requeft that your Excellency will order your 
Columns to fall back to a greater Diftance, and 
out of Sight of our Works, or I fhall think 
myfelf under the Neceffity to dired: their being 
fired upon. If they did not reconnoitre any 
Thing this Afternoon, they were fure within the 
Diftance. 

I have the Honour to be, &c., 

A. Prevost. 

His Excellency Count D'Eflaing, &c., &c. 



Appendix. 131 

Letter fr 0771 Count UEJ}ai7tg to GeTieral 
Prevoji. 

Camp before Savannah, Sept. 16, 1779. 
Sir, 

I CONSENT to the Truce you afk. I (hall 
continue till the Signal for Retreat To- 
morrow Night, the 17th, which will ferve alfo 
to announce the Recommencement of Hoftili- 
ties. It is unnecefTary to obferve to your Ex- 
cellency, that this Sufpenfion of Arms is entirely 
in your Favour, fince I cannot be certain that 
you will not make ufe of it to fortify yourfelf, 
at the fame Time that the Proportions you 
fhall make may be inadmiffible. 

I muft obferve to you alfo, how important it 
is, that you fhould be fully aware of your own 
Situation as well as that of the Troops under 
your Command. Be afTured that I am tho- 
roughly acquainted with it. Your Knowledge 
in military Affairs will not fuffer you to be 
ignorant, that a due Examination of that Cir- 
cumftance always precedes the March of the Col- 
umns ; and that this Preliminary is not carried 
into Execution by the mere Show of Troops. 

I have ordered them to withdraw before 
Night comes on, to prevent any Caufe of Com- 



132 Appendix, 

plaint on your Part. I underftand that my 
Civility in this Refpeft has been the Occaiion, 
that the Chevalier de Chambis, a Lieutenant in 
the Navy, has been made a Prifoner of War. 

I propofe fending out fome fmall advanced 
Pofts to-morrow Morning. They will place 
themfelves in fuch a Situation as to have in 
View the four Entrances into the Wood in 
order to prevent a fimilar Miftake in Future. 
I do not know whether two Columns, com- 
manded by the Vifcount de Noailles and the 
Count de Dillon,^ have fhown too much Ardour, 

1 " Count Arthur Dillon was the Son of Heniy, the Eleventh 
Vilbount Dillon, in the Peerage of Ireland. His Father was a 
Colonel in the French Service. His Grandfather, Arthur, went 
into the Arniy of France, and commanded an Irifh Regiment 
after his Father. * * * The Grandfather of Count Dillon 
was, in 1705, made Marfhal of the Camp, and Governor of 
Toulon ; and fubfequently a Lieutenant-General of France. 
Dillon's Regiment was commanded, after the Death of Marflial 
Dillon, by his Son James, a Knight of Malta ; and when he 
fell at the Head of this Regiment at Fontenoy, his Brother Ed- 
ward fucceeded to his Command; and it was this Regiment 
which the young Count Arthur led into the Adtion at the Siege 
of Savannah. He was involved in the Troubles of the French 
Revolution, and fufFered under the Guillotine in 1794. His 
Daughter Fanny was married to Count Bertrandj and was dif- 
tinguifhed by her Fidelity to the Emperor, during his long Im- 
prifonment at St. Helena."— Stevens's HiJ}. of Georgia, ii, 226. 



Appendix. 133 

or whether your Cannoniers have not paid a 
proper Refpedl to the Truce fubfifting between 
us; but this I know, that what has happened 
this Night is a Proof that Matters will foon 
come to a Decifion between us one Way or 
another. 

I have the Honour to be, &c., 

EsTAING. 

His Excellency, General Prevoft, Major Gene- 
ral in the Service of his Britannic Majefty, 
and Commander in Chief at Savannah, in 
Geors;ia. 



Reply to the foregoing Letter. 

Savannah^ September 17, 1779. 
Sir, 

IN Anfwer to the Letter of your Excellency, 
which I had the Honour to receive about 
twelve laft Night, I am to acquaint you, that 
having laid the whole Correfpondence before 
the King's civil Governor, and the military Of- 
ficers of Rank, affembled in Council of War, 
the unanimous Determination has been that 
though we cannot look upon our Poft as abfo- 
lutely impregnable, yet that it may and ought 

s 



134 Appendix, 

to be defended ; therefore, the evening Gun to 
be fired this Evening at an Hour before Sun- 
down, fhall be the Signal for recommencing 
Hoftilities, agreeable to your Excellency's Pro- 
pofal. 

I have the Honour to be, &c., 

A. Prevost. 

[White's liift. Georgia, P. 349.] 



Englijh Account of the Capture of Savannah. 

[From the London Gazette, December 21, 1779.] 

Admiralty Office^ December 21. 

CAPTAIN Chriftian, of his Majefty's 
armed Ship, the Vigilant^ arrived here 
early this Morning, with a Letter from Captain 
Henry, ^ of his Majefty's Ship Fowey, to Mr, 
Stephens, of which the following is an Extrad; : 

Savannah River ^ Georgia, Nov. 8, 1779. 

I beg you will be pleafed to communicate to 
the Right Honourable my Lords CommifTion- 

' Captain John Henry was born in Anglefea, Sept. 28, 1731, 
entered the Navy in 1744, was a Lieutenant in 1762, and be- 
came Poll Captain Nov. 22, 1777. He became Rear Admiral 
July 4, 1794, ^'^'<^s Admiral Feb. 14, 1799, and Admiral April 
23, 1804. — Marfliall's Royal Naval Biography^ i, 64. 



Appendix. 135 

ers of the Admiralty the following important 
Particulars : 

That the French Fleet, under the Count 
D'Eftaing, confifting of twenty Sail of the Line, 
two of fifty Guns, and eleven Frigates, arrived on 
this Coaft the ift of September paft, from Cape 
Fran9ois, having on board a large Body of 
Troops, purpofely for the Redudlion of this 
Province. They failed from the Cape on the 
20th of Auguft, and came through the windward 
Paffage, when they difpatched two Ships of the 
Line and three Frigates to Charleftown, to an- 
nounce their coming, and prepare the rebel 
Force by Sea and Land to join the Count 
D'Eftaing. Thefe two Ships of the Line and 
Frigates, were feen from Tybee, the 3d of Sep- 
tember, when Lieutenant Lock, of the Roje^ 
was fent to reconnoitre them, and brought Word 
they were French. 

Lieutenant Whitworth, who commands the 
Kep-pel armed Brig, was ordered to get ready a 
faft failing Tender of his own, to proceed to 
New York with this Intelligence, and failed with 
his Difpatches on the 6th, but was chafed in 
again by feven Sail. On the 7th, at Night, he 
made another Attempt, wherein there is every 
Reafon to hope he was fuccefsful. 



136 Appendix. 

On the 8th, forty-one Sail were difcovered to 
the Southward of Tybee, plying to the Wind- 
ward. The Wind being Northerly, as it had 
been for fome Days paft, drove them to the 
Southward of this Port. 

Major General Prevoft, at Savannah, was 
immediately acquainted with their Appearance, 
who went to work with every Exertion to 
increafe the Fortifications of the Town. Def- 
patches were fent to the Hon. Colonel Mait- 
land, who was pofted with Part of the Army 
on Port Royal Ifland, and to Captain Chriftian, 
of his Majefty's Ship Vigilant^ to repair to Sa- 
vannah as foon as poffible, with the Troops, 
Ships and Galleys there. 

The Fowey, Rofe, Keppel^ armed Brig, and 
Germain^ provincial armed Ship, were fo placed 
that if the French Ships came in fuperior, we 
might run up the River ; and the leading 
Marks for the Bar were cut down. 

On the 9th, the whole French Fleet anchored 
oflF the Bar, and next Day four Frigates weighed, 
and came to Tybee Anchorage. It was deter- 
mined on their Approach, to run up the River 
with the King's Ships, and join our Force with 
the General for the Defence of the Town. At 
this Time the French were fending Troops 



Appendix. 137 

from their Ships, which were firft put into fmall 
Crafts from Charleftown, and run into Ofa- 
baw Inlet; from whence they were landed in 
Launches at Bowley, thirteen Miles from Sa- 
vannah, under Cover of four Galleys ; and 
their Frigates were preparing to advance up the 
River. 

From the loth to the 13th we were bufy fend- 
ing to Town, Part of the Fowey and Roje s Guns 
and Ammunition, in Veflels fent by the General 
for that Purpofe. On the 13th the Fowey and 
RoJe, being much lightened, failed over the 
Mud Flat to Five-Fathom-Hole, three Miles 
below the Town, from whence was fent up the 
Remainder of the Guns and Ammunition. 

The Comet Galley and Keppel armed Brig were 
direded to place themfelves below the Mud 
Flat, fo as to cover the PafTage of Colonel 
Maitland, with the King's Troops from Port 
Royal, through Wall's Cut, from whom we 
had not heard fince the Communication by 
Boats being cut off. 

The 14th and 15th the Seamen were employed 
in landing the Cannon and Ammunition of the 
Ships from the fmall Veffels ; and this having 
been done, the Seamen were appointed to the 



138 Appendix. 

different Batteries, and the Marines incorporated 
with the Grenadiers of the 60th Regiment. 

On the 1 6th, the Count D'Eftaing fummoned 
the General to furrender the Town to the Arms 
of his moft Chriftian Majefty;^ at the fame 
Time faying, his Troops were the fame who fo 
recently ftormed and conquered the Grenadas ; 
that their Courage and prefent Ardour were fo 
great, that any Works we fhould raife, or any 
Oppofition we could make, would be of no 
Import. Not intimidated with this Language, 
the General called a Meeting of Field and Sea 
Officers, when it was refolved to take twenty- 
four Hours to confider. In that Time the 
Troops from Beaufort arrived in Boats from 
the Vigilant and Tranfports (in Callibogie 
Sound), through Wall's Cut, under the Di- 
rection of Lieutenant Goldenfborough of the 
Vigilant; and now the Count D'Eftaing had 
his final Anfwer, " that we were unanimoufly 
determined to defend the Town." 

' This Summons, in the Name of D'Eftaing alone, for a Sur- 
render to the Arms of France, led Gen. Lincoln, upon his 
arrival, to remonilrate to the Count, as the Americans were 
afting in conjunction with him. The Matter was foon fettled, 
and it was agreed that all Negotiations fhould in Future be con- 
duced jointly with him. — Bowen's Lincoln, 302. 



Appendix. 139 

The General, ever attentive to increafe the 
Defences of the Town, with Captain Moncrief, 
our principal Engineer, was now indefatigably. 
Night and Day, raifing new Works and Batte- 
ries, which aftonifhed our Enemies ; and every 
Officer, Soldier and Sailor worked with the 
utmoft Cheerfulnefs ; and I have the Pleafure 
to inform their Lordfhips, the General has been 
pleafed to exprefs his particular Satisfaction with 
the Services of the Officers of the King's Ships 
and Tranfports during the whole Siege. 

It being apprehended that the Enemy's Ships 
might come too near the Town, and annoy the 
Rear of our Lines, it was judged expedient to 
fink a Number of Veflels to ftop the Pafiage. 
His Majefty's Ship Roje^ making at this Time 
feventeen Inches of Water an Hour, after 
fheathing her as low as we could at Cockfpur, 
her Bottom Worm-eaten quite through, and 
her Stern rotten, as appears by a Survey of 
Shipwrights held on her a fhort Time before, 
wherein it was declared fhe could not fwim over 
two Months, her Guns, Men, and Ammunition 
being on Shore, I thought her the moft eligible 
to Sink, as her Weight would keep her acrofs 
the Channel, when lighter VefTels could not. 



i^o Appe7idix. 

owing to the Rapidity of the Current, and 
hard fandy Bottom, which prevented them from 
{licking faft when they were funk. The Savan- 
nah armed Ship, purchafed into the King's 
Service fome Time before by Commodore Sir 
James Wallace, was fcuttled and funk alfo ; four 
Tranfports were funk befides, which blocked up 
the Channel ; feveral fmaller VefTels were funk 
above the Town, and a Boom laid acrofs the 
River, to prevent the Enemy fending down fire 
Rafts among our Shipping, or landing Troops 
in our Rear. 

The Fowey, Keppel Brig, Comet Galley, and 
Germain provincial armed Ship, were got to 
Town previous to finking the Veffels ; the 
Germain having her Guns in, v>^as placed off 
Yamacraw to flank our Lines.' 

Three French Frigates were now advanced 
up the River to the Mud Flat; one of them 
having 12-Pounders, with two Rebel Galleys, 
carrying two i8-Pounders in their Prows, an- 
chored in Five-Fathom-Hole ; from whence 

1 The Germain, the only Veffel that was not difmantled, was 
anchored above the Town, and commanded every Approach 
through the low Grounds bordering the Mufgrove Creek. — Ste- 
vens's Hijl. Georgia, ii, 215. 



Appendix, 141 

the Frigate failed into the Back River, with 
the intent to cannonade the Rear of our Lines. 
They threw a great Number of Shot, which, 
being at their utmoft Range, did no Execution. 
The Galleys, advancing nearer, did fome Damage 
to the Houfes. A few Shot now and then from 
the River Battery made them keep a refpedable 
Diftance. 

The French having now made regular Ap- 
proaches, and fini(hed their Batteries of Mor- 
tars and Cannon, near enough to our Works, 
on the 3d of Odober, at Midnight, opened 
their Bomb Battery of nine large Mortars. At 
Daybreak they alfo opened with thirty-feven 
Pieces of heavy Cannon, landed from their 
Fleet, and fired on our Lines and Batteries 
with great Fury. 

This lafted Day and Night till the Morning 
of the 9th, when finding little Notice taken of 
their Shot and Shells, at Daybreak ftormed 
with their whole Force, the Count D'Eftaing at 
their Head. 

This Attempt proved moft fatal to them, for 

they met with fo very fevere a Repulfe from 

only three hundred Men, affifted by the Grape- 

fhot from the Batteries, that from this Day 

T 



142 Appendix, 

they worked with indefatiguable Labour to 
carry off their Cannon and Mortars, and de- 
fcended to a Degree of Civility we had hitherto 
been Strangers to. Their Lofs was very great ; 
moft of their beft Officers and Soldiers being 
killed or wounded, the Count D'Eftaing among 
the Latter. 

On the Night of the 17th, the French en- 
tirely quitted their Works, retreated to their 
Boats, and embarked under Cover of their 
Galleys. General Lincoln, with the Rebel 
Army, retreated up the Country with the 
greateft Precipitation, burning every Bridge be- 
hind them ; and we are told their Army is 
totally difperfed. 

The French have been favoured by the Wea- 
ther to their utmoft Wifhes the whole Time of 
their being on this Coait ; their great Ships 
lying conftantly at Anchor in fourteen Fathoms, 
and the fmall Craft from Charleftown employed 
watering them from this River. The only Ac- 
cident we know they met with, was loling one 
Boat with one hundred Men. 

When the French Troops were all embarked, 
an Officer was fent on Shore to exchange 
Prifoners. This being finifhed, they loft no 



Appendix. 143 

Time in venturing down the River witli their 
Frigates and Galleys to Tybee. 

The Vigilant^ with the Scourge and Vindictive 
Galleys, the Snake^ half Galley, and three Tranf- 
ports, were obliged to remain at Callibogie the 
whole Siege, where Captain Chriftian, of the 
Vigilant^ fecured them in fo ftrong a Pofition, 
and ereded a Battery on Shore to proted them, 
that the French and Rebels thought it moft 
prudent to let them alone. They are now all 
at Tybee, the French Fleet having left this 
Coaft the 26th of Oftober ; and their Frigates 
left this River the 2d of November. 

On the 4th of November the Myrtle, Navy 
Viftualler, who was taken by the French, and 
turned into a watering Veffel, being blown out 
of this River a few Days before they left it, 
returned to Tybee with a Rebel Galley, expect- 
ing to find their Friends. They both fell into 
our Hands. The Galley is called tht Ruttedge, 
carries two i8-Pounders in her Prow, and four 
Sixes in her Waift. I have named her the Viper, 
and appointed Mr. John Steel, Mafter's Mate 
of the Rqfe, to command her, with an Eftablifh- 
ment fimilar to other Galleys, until the Admi- 
ral's Pleafure is known. Mr. Steel's Behaviour 



14.4. Appendix. 

at the Battery, on the Spot where the French 
and Rebels ftormed our Line, deferves particular 
Notice. 

His Majefty's Ship yfnV/ of twenty-four Guns, 
on a Cruife from Charleftown (when the French 
came on this Coaft), was taken on the nth of 
September, after a gallant Refiftance, by the 
French Frigate Amazon, of thirty-fix Guns. 
Kis Majefty's Ship Experiment having loft all 
her Mafts and Bowfprit in a Gale of Wind on 
her Paflage from New York to Savannah, fell 
into the Middle of the French Fleet off this 
Bar, and was taken on the 24th of September, 
together with the Myrtle, Navy Vidlualler, and 
Champion, Store Ship. 

List of the French Fleet on this Coast under 
Count D'Estaing. 

Firji D'lvifton — Mr. Bougainville. 

Le Guerriere, - - 74 Le Province, - - 64 

- 64 

- 64 

Second Divifion — Comte D'Eftaing. 

Le Languedoc, - 74 Le Vaillant, - - 74 

Le Robufte, - 74 Le Artizien, - 64 

Le Zele, - - 74 Le Sagitaire, - - 54 

Le Annibal, - 74 



Le Magnifique, - 


74 


Le Marfeilles, 


Le Caefar, 


- 74 


Le Fantafque, 


Le Vengeur, 


74 





Appendix » 



^\'> 



Le Tonant, - 
Le Diademe, 
Le He£tor, - 
Le Dauphine Royal, 
Le Royal, 

Le Fortune, - 
L'Amazon, 
L'Iphigene, - 
La Blanche, 



Third Divifion. 

80 Le Pendant, - 

Le Refleche, 
Le Sphynx, - 
Le Roderique, Store- 
fliip. 



74 
74 
70 
70 



Frigates. 



38 

36 
36 



La Chimere, - 
La Bordeaux, 
La Bricoli, 
La Lys, 



74 
64 
64 

00 



36 
36 
36 



Englijh Ships Taken. 
Experiment, - - 5° Lively,- - - 20 
Qgj-es - - 18 Alert Cutter, - 14 

The Land Forces on board this Fleet were 
the Irifh Brigade (Dillon), the Regiment of 
Foix, the Grenadiers, Light Infantry, and a 
Picquet of the Regiments of Armagnac, Age- 
nois, Bram, and Royal RoufiUon, and of the 
Colony Troops of Guadaloupe, Martinique, 
Cape 'Fran9ois, and Port au Prince, with Ma- 
rines of the Ships, amounted to about five 
Thoufand five Hundred Men. They landed 
at firft four Thoufand, and at different Land- 
ings about three Hundred more (the Rebels 
had three Thoufand), befides fome Hundreds 



146 Appe?idix. 

of free Blacks and Mulattoes, taken on board 
in the Weft Indies. 

This Fleet is very badly manned, very (ickly, 
and the Ships in very bad Condition, — fhort of 
Anchors and Cables, having no running Rig- 
ging to reel but what came out of the Champion 
Store Ship, from New York, and intended for 
this Port. We have every Reafon to believe 
this Expedition coft them two Thoufand Men. 

Return of Seamen and Marines killed and 

WOUNDED during THE SlEGE. 

Fowey — One Marine killed, one wounded. 
Return of the Officers of the American Forces 

WHO WERE killed AND WOUNDED IN THE ACTION 

AT Savannah, Oct. 9, 1779. 

Killed. 

Second Regiment — Major Wife, Lieutenant 
Bailey. 

General Williamfon's Brigade — Captain Be- 
raud. 

Charleflown Regiment — Captain Shepherd. 

South Carolina Artillery — Captain Lieuten- 
ant Donnom. 

Major Jones, Aid to General Mclntofh. 



Appendix. 147 

Wounded. 

Cavalry — Brigadier-General Count Pulafki, 
Captain Bendelo, Captain Giles. 

Second Regiment — Captain Roux, Lieuten- 
ants Gray and Petre. 

Third Regiment — Captain Tanar, Lieuten- 
ants Gafton and DefTaufure. 

Sixth Regiment — Captain Bowie. 

Virginia Levies — Lieutenants Parker and 
Walker. 

Light Infantry — Capt. Smith, of the Third; 
Captains Warren and Hogin, of the Fifth; 
Lieutenant Vleland, of the Second ; Lieuten- 
ant Parfons of the Fifth. 

South Carolina Militia — Capt. Davis, Lieu- 
tenants Bruneau, Wilkie and Wardel. 

Englip Retur?i of Cafiialties in the different 
Corps during the Siege. 

[From White's Hiltory of Georgia, P. 352.] 

ONE Captain, 1 Lieutenants, i Enfign, 4 
Sergeants, 32 Rank and File, killed; 
2 Captains, 2 Lieutenants, 2 Sergants, i Drum- 
mer, 56 Rank and File, wounded ; 2 Drummers, 
2 Rank and File, miffing ; 5 Sergeants, 2 
Drummers, 41 Rank and File Deferted. 



148 Appendix, 

Names of Officers Killed. 

Lieutenant Henry McPherfon, ift Battalion 
71ft, 24th September. 

Lieutenant Tawfe,' of ditto, and Captain- 
Lieutenant of Dragoons, 9ch of Odober. 

Captain Simpfon, Georgia Loyalift, 8th of 
Oftober. 

Enfign Pollard, 2d Battalion, De Lancey's, 
4th of ditto. 

Names of Officers Killed. 

Captain Cozens, 3d Battalion New Jerfey 
Volunteers, 24th of September. 

Lieutenant Smollet Campbell, 2d Battalion 
71ft, and Lieutenant of Dragoons, 9th of Oc- 
tober. 

Captain Henry, of the South Carolina Roy- 
alifts, 9th of 06lober. 

A. Prevost, M. G. 

Camp Savannah^ 0^. 18, 1779. 

1 Thomas Tawfe; Date of Rank as Lieutenant, December 
6, 1775- 



Appendix. 14.9 



Letter from General Lincoln to Congrefs. 
^^ Charlejlon, October 22, 1779. 
Sir, 

IN my Laft, of the 5th ult., I had the Honor 
of informing Congrefs that Count d'Eftaing 
was arrived off Savannah.' 

1 Secret Proceedings in Congress. September 26, 1779. — 
" The Prefident laid before Congrefs two Letters which he had 
received from Mr. Gerard, written to him by J. Plombard, and 
dated Charlefton, South Carolina, one the 5th and the other the 
8th September inftant, which were read, giving Information of 
the Arrival of Count d'Eftaing at Georgia : Whereupon, 

" Txejohed, That Copies of the Letters from Mr. Plombard 
to Mr. Gerard, of the 5th and 8th of September, inftant, com- 
municated by Mr. Gerard to the Prefident, be fent to General 
Wafhington. That the General be alfo informed of the Inten- 
tion of our Ally, that the Armament under Count d'Eftaing 
fhall operate againft the Enemy in thefe United States; and that 
General Wafhington be authorized and direfled to concert and 
execute fuch Plans of Cooperation with the Minifter of France, 
or the Count, as he may think Proper. 

" Whereas, Congrefs have received authentick Information of 
the Arrival of Count d'Eftaing. with a powerful Fleet to coope- 
rate with thefe United States ; and whereas, by the vigorous 
Exertions of the faid States, the allied Forces may be enabled 
to ftrike an important Blow againft the Enemy, 

" Kejhlved, That it be moft earneftly recommended to the 
feveral States to furnilh General Wafhington with fuch Aid as he 

V 



150 Appendix, 

Orders were immediately given for aflembling 
the Troops. They reached Zubly's Ferry and 
its Vicinity on the nth, and fome were thrown 
over. The 12th and 13th were fpent in croffing 
the Troops and Baggage, which was effected, 
though not without great Fatigue, from the 
Want of Boats,' and badnefs of the Roads 
through a deep Swamp of near three Miles, in 
which are many large Creeks. 1 he Bridges 
over them the Enemy had broken down. We 
encamped upon the Heights of Ebenezer, 
twenty-three Miles from Savannah, and were 
joined by Troops from Augufta under General 

may require of them refpeftively, as well by Detachments from 
their Militia as by providing that the allied Armaments in the 
United States be fpeedily and effedually furniflied with ample 
Supplies of Bread and other Provifions; and that the nioft 
vigorous Exertions be made for that Purpofe." — Secret Journals 
of Congrejs, \, 127. 

' The only Conveniences for croffing were two Canoes, one 
of which would hold three, and the other fifteen Men, and an 
|Unfiniflied Flat. Lincoln ordered this to be completed, and a 
Raft to be made of the Boards and Timber of the Buildings. 
The next Day, the Army began to crofs, and the Raft fank on 
its firft Trial; but another Canoe was obtained, and with the 
aid of this and of the now iiniflicd Flat, moft: of the Troops 
were tranfported to the Georgia Side before Night. — Bowen's 
Life of Lincoln, 301. 



Appendix, 151 

Mclntofli. The 14th, not being able to afcer- 
tain whether the Count had yet landed his 
Troops, though feveral Exprefles had been fent 
for that Purpofe, we remained encamped. On 
the 15th, being advifed that the Count had 
embarked Part of his Troops, that he would 
that Night take Poft nine Miles from Savan- 
nah, we moved, and encamped at Cherokee 
Hill, nine Miles from the Town. The i6th, 
we formed a Jundion before Savannah. After 
reconnoitering the Enemy's Works, and finding 
the Town well covered, and knowing their De- 
termination to defend it, it was deemed neceflary 
to make fome Approaches, and try the Effeds 
of Artillery I From the i8th to the 23d, we 

1 " While the Siege was going on, detached Parties of the 
Americans obtained fome Succefs againft a few Troops of the 
Enemy, who had not fucceeded in getting into Savannah before 
the Town was completely invcftcd. On the 19th, Pulalki was 
fent, with a Body of Cavalry, againft a Party of the Enemy 
who had landed on Ogeechee River. He returned the next 
Day, having made a Number of Prifoners, and driven the 
Others on board their VefTels. On the ift of Oftober, Colonel 
[John] White, of the Georgia Line, fucceeded, by an Extraor- 
dinary Stratagem, in capturing the Remainder of what was 
probably the fame Party, Veflels and all, as they had not dared 
to leave the River, through Fear of the French Fleet. White 



152 Appe7tdix. 

were employed in landing and getting up the 
Ordnance and Stores ; a Work of Difficulty, 
from the Want of proper Wheels to tranfport 
them, the Cannon being on Ship Carriages. 
On the Evening of the 23d, Ground was 
broken; and on the 5th Inftant, the Batteries 
of thirty-three Pieces of Cannon and nine Mor- 
tars were opened on the Enemy, and continued 
with Intervals until the 8th, without the wifhed 

had with him only Captain Etholm, three Soldiers, and his 
Servant; but, knowing how much the Britifh were alarmed by 
their Pofition, not being able to put to Sea, and having the 
Army of the Allies between them and Savannah, he conceived 
the Defign of frightening them into a Surrender. He kindled a 
Number of Fires on the Shore, ranged in the Manner of a 
Camp, rode about, giving Orders in fo loud a Voice as to be 
heard on board the Veflels, and then, going out to the Enemy 
with a Flag of Truce, fummoned them to furrender. Captain 
French, of Delancey's Battalion, who commanded the Party, 
believed that a large American Force was on Shore, and aftually 
furrendered his Detachment, and one hundred and thirty itand 
of Arms, the Crews of the VefTels, and the five Vefiels them- 
felves, four of which were armed, the largeil mounting fourteen 
Guns. Articles of Capitulation were drawn up and figned by 
him. White pretended that it was difficult to reftrain the Ani- 
mofity and the plundering Propenfity of his Men, and therefore 
ordered the whole Band to go on Shore, without their Arms, and 
follow three Guides, whom he would fend to them, by whom 



Appendix, 153 

for EfFed.' The Period having long fince elapfed 
which the Count had affigned for this Expedi- 
tion, and the Engineers informing him that 
much more Time muft be fpent, if he expeded 
to reduce the Garrifon by regular Approaches, 
and his longer Stay being impoflible. Matters 
were reduced to the Alternative of raifing the 
Siege immediately, and giving up all Thoughts 
of Conqueft, or attempting the Garrifon by 

they would be conduced to Lincoln's Army, while his Party 
would follow in their Rear. They readily aflented ; for as moft 
of them were Tories, they had a great Dread of their Coun- 
trymen who adled as Militia, fince great Cruelties were often 
pradiced on the two Parties. White fent his three Soldiers to 
guide them, and, remaining behind with Captain Etholm, col- 
leded a few Militia in the Neighborhood, with whoni he overtook 
his Prifoners, and brought them fafely into Camp. 

*' Colonel Lee gives this Story in his Hiftory of the War, 
and adds : ' The Affair approaches too near the Marvellous to 
have been admitted into thefe Memoirs, had it not been uni- 
formly aflertcd, as uniformly accredited, and never contradifted.' 
There is no Doubt of its Truth; as it is related in Lincoln's 
private Manufcript Journal of the Siege, is mentioned in his 
Letter to Congrefs, and, among his Papers, I have found Colonel 
White's Letter to him, defcribing the Affair, and the original 
Articles of Capitulation, figned by * Thomas French, Captain 
of De Lancey's Firll Battahon.' " — Bowen's Life of Lincoln , P. 
305- 



154- Appendix. 

Aflault.' The Latter was agreed on ; and on the 
Morning of the 9th the Attack was made; and 
it proved unfuccefsful, and we were repulfed 
with fome Lofs. When the Count firft arrived, 
he informed us that he would remain on Shore 
eight Days only. He had fpent four Times 
that Number ; his Departure, therefore, became 
indifpenfable ; and to reembark his Ordnance 
and Stores claimed his next Attention. This 
was completed on the loth. The fame Evening, 
having previoufly fent off our Sick, Wounded, 
and heavy Baggage, the American Troops left 
the Ground, reached Zubly's Ferry the next 
Morning, recroffed, and encamped that Night 
in Carolina.^ 

J " It was determined to make an Affault. This Meafure was 
forced on D'Eftaing by his marine Officers, who had remon- 
ftrated againft his continuing to rifk fo valuable a Fleet in its 
prefent unrepaired Condition on ilich a dangerous Coart, in the 
hurricane Seafon, and at fo great a Diflance from the Shore that 
it might be furprifed by a Britifh Fleet. In a few Days the 
Lines of the Befiegers might have been carried into the Works 
of the Befieged ; but under thefe critical Circumftances no far- 
ther Delay could be admitted. To affault, or to raife the Siege 
was the only Alternative. Prudence would have diftated the 
Latter; but a Senfe of Honor determined to adopt the Former." 
— Ramfay's Hijfory of South Carolina, 1, 316. 

~ General Lincoln's Want of Succcfs at Savannah, and fubfe- 
quent Defeat at Charleflon, did not abate the Confidence in 



Appefidix. 155 

The French Troops encamped, on the Night 
of the loth, about two Miles from Savannah. 
They were, after twenty-four Hours, reembarked 
at Kincaid's Landing. 

Our Difappointment is great ; and what adds 
much to our Senfe of it, is the Lofs of a Num- 
ber of brave Officers and Men, among them 
the late intrepid Count Pulafki. 

Count D'Eftaing has undoubtedly the Inte- 
reft of America much at Heart. This he has 
evinced by coming to our Affiftance, by his 
conftant Attention during the Siege, his under- 
taking to reduce the Enemy by Aflault, when 
he difpaired of effedling it otherwife, and by 
bravely putting himfelf at the Head of his 

which he was held by the Commander-in Chief, by Congiefs, 
and by the People. He fubfequently participated in the Siege 
ot Yorktown, was appointed Secretary ot War, commanded 
the Troops fcnt againll Shay's Rebellion in Wcftern MafTachu- 
fetts, and ferved on feveral important Commiffions. In 1788 
he became Lieutenant-Governor of his native State. General 
Wafhington appointed him Colle6lor of Bofton, and he lent his 
full Influence to the Meafures of the firll Prefident. 

In 1806 he refigned his Office, under a Weight of growing 
Infirmities. He died at his Home in Hingham, MaiT., May 
9, 1810, at the Age of fcventy-feven. — Maff. Hijl. Colle£lions, 
2d Ser., iii, 233; Bowen's Life of Lincoln ; Sparks's Biog. Se- 
ries, xxiii. 



156 Appe?tdix, 

Troops, and leading them to the Attack. In 
our Service he has freely bled. I feel much for 
him ; for while he is fuffering the Diftrefs of 
painful Wounds, he has to combat Chagrin. I 
hope he wiU be confoled by the Aflurance that, 
although he has not fucceeded according to his 
Wifhes and thofe of America, we regard with 
high Approbation his Intentions to ferve us, 
and that his Want of Succefs will not lefTen 
our Ideas of his Merits." 



B 



ExtraB from the Kings Speech to Parlia- 
ment, November i, 1780. 

lY the Force which the laft 
Parliament put into my 
Hands, and by the Bleffing of Divine Provi- 
dence on the Bravery of my Fleets and Armies, 
I have been enabled to withftand the formidable 
Attempts of my Enemies, and to fruftrate the 
great Expedations they had formed ; and the 
fignal Succefles which have attended the Pro- 
grefs of my Arms in the Provinces of Georgia 
and Carolina^ gained with fo much Honour to 
the Condud and Courage of my Officers, and 
to the Valour and Intrepidity of my Troops, 



Appe?idix. 157 

which have equalled their higheft Charader in 
any Age, will, I truft, have important Confe- 
quences in bringing the War to a happy Con- 
clufion : It is my moft earneft Defire to fee 
this great End accomplifhed ; but I am confi- 
dent you will agree with me in Opinion, that 
we can only fecure fafe and honourable Terms 
of Peace by fuch powerful and refpedable Pre- 
parations as (hall convince our Enemies that we 
will not fubmit to receive the Law from any 
Powers whatfoever; and that we are united to 
a firm Refolution to decline no Difficulty or 
Hazard in the Defence of our Country, and for 
the Prefervation of our effential Interefts." 



American Account of the Siege of Savannah. 

Furniflied by an Officer engaged in the Attack. 1 

" T7V ARLY in Sept. 1779, the Amazon French 
Hj Frigate appeared off Charlefton Bar; the 
Vifcompte de Fontanges, Adjutant General to 
the Army under Count D'Eftaing, landed and 
conferred with Gen. Lincoln, when an Attack 
upon the Britifli Force in Savannah, by the 

1 Major Thomas Pinckney. 

w 



158 Appendix. 

combined French Army, faid to confift of three 
thoufand Men, and one thoufand American 
Troops to be furnifhed by General Lincoln, 
was agreed upon. By Order of General Lin- 
coln, Colonel Cambray of the Engineers, Cap- 
tain Gadfden and myfelf, embarked on board 
the Amazon^ then commanded by the celebrated 
Circumnavigator La Peroufe.' In a Day or two 
after we left Charlefton, we joined the French 
Fleet, confifting of twenty Ships of the Line, 
and feveral Frigates, when we went on board 
the Languedoc^ to be under the immediate Com- 
mand of Count D'Eftaing, who had defired 
that fome American Officers, acquainted with 
the French Language, might be fent to him. 
In paffing before Beaufort, D'Eftaing was ap- 
prifed that Colonel Maitland, with a confideraHe 
Part of the Britifli Force, was ftationed at that 
Place, and was aware of the Advantages which 
would refult from preventing his Junction with 
the main Body at Savannah. Our Progrefs was 

1 After the Peace of 1783, he was appointed to conduft a 
fcientific Expedition on a Voyage of Difcovery. His laft Com- 
munication was dated February 7, 1788, from Botany Bay, and 
a Myftery hung over his Fate till 1827, when it was learned 
that his Ships were loft on one of the Iflands of the New 
Hebrides Group. 



Appendix. 159 

delayed forne Hours off the Bar; and it was 
reported that forne of the fmaller Veflels were 
preparing to enter, but the Plan was relinquifhed 
becaufe the Pilots furnifhed from Charlefton 
refufed to undertake to carry them in. This 
was the firft great Error of this fhort, but dif- 
aftrous Campaign. The whole Britifh regular 
Force amounted only to two thoufand five 
hundred Men, of which Maitland commanded 
eight hundred at Beaufort ; had thefe been pre- 
vented from joining Prevoft at Savannah, it is 
probable the Latter would have capitulated, or 
certainly could not have made the fame formi- 
dable Refiftance. I know, however, from the 
Acknowledgement of the principal Pilot, that 
he did refufe to carry in the Veffels. 

" The Fleet then proceeded off Savannah 
Bar, where Information being received that the 
Britifh had a Company of Regulars pofted on 
Tybee Ifland, D'Eftaing determined to attack 
them. Accordingly, he landed with the Officers 
of his Staff, the three Americans, and his Body- 
guard, compofed of a Subaltern's Command of 
about twenty Marines; we marched near half 
Mile in the Diredion of the Fort, when D'Ef- 
taing, looking back and feeing only his {lender 



i6o Appendix. 

Efcort, afked the Adjutant General, where were 
the Troops to reduce the Britifh Poft ? M. de 
Fontanges anfwered that he had received no 
Diredions to order any Troops for the Occa- 
fion. The General appeared much irritated, 
replying that he had informed him of the Ob- 
je6l he had in View, and that it was his Duty to 
have brought with him the Number of Troops 
neceflary for the Occafion. While this was 
paffing, a Couple of Negroes came by, who 
being interrogated, informed that the Poft had 
been withdrawn early that Morning. This ex- 
traordinary Occurrence is mentioned to fhow 
fomething of the Manner of Proceeding of the 
Commander-in-chief of the Expedition, and of 
the Footing on which he ftood with the Officers 
under his Command. 

" The Fleet then proceeded off Affeeba 
Sound, where about eighteen hundred Troops 
were embarked in the Bouts of the Fleet, and 
proceeded at Night fall twelve Miles up the 
River to Beaulieu. The Order for landing, 
direded that the Boats ftiould follow, as expe- 
ditioufly as they could, (in that in which the 
General embarked, a Lantern was hoifted,) and 
on reaching the Landing, the Troops were to 



Appendix. 1 6 1 

range themfelves next to thofe whom they 
would find drawn up, without any Regard to 
Corps. It was fortunate for the General, whofe 
Boat being lighter than the Reft confiderably 
outrowed them, that a Britifti Poft with two 
Field-pieces had been withdrawn the preceding 
Day, or the Boats which arrived firft, muft have 
been greatly annoyed ; the Bluff of Beaulieu 
commanding a long Reach of the River up 
which they paffed. The Landing with fuch a 
Body, would probably have been effeded, but 
certainly not without confiderable Lofs. No 
Time was loft after the Landing of the Troops, 
in marching to Savannah; it appearing to be 
the Defire of the General to arrive there before 
the Day appointed for the Rendezvous with 
General Lincoln. 

** The Morning after the Army encamped, 
within a ftiort Diftance of Savannah, a Flag of 
Truce was fent in, requiring the Surrender of 
the Poft and Garrifon, to the Army of His 
Moji Chriftian Majefty. A Delay of twenty-four 
Hours for the Anfwer, was required and 
granted; before their Expiration, Maitland 
brought in his Detachment, and the Demand 
of Capitulation was rejeded. 



1 62 Appendix. 

" General Lincoln, with the American Army, 
arrived near Savannah at the Time agreed upon, 
which was the 17th September, and on the 23d, 
the two Armies formed a Junftion, and encamped 
together within about a Mile and a half of the 
Enemy's Lines, the French on the Right. 
Here I joined my Regiment, which being the 
Firft of South Carolina, was encamped on the 
extreme Left of the Line. 

" It appeared now to be the Determination 
of the Generals, to endeavour to carry the Poft 
by regular Approaches ; for the Enemy's Line 
of Defence, which was fcarcely begun when 
D'Eftaing's Summons was given, had, in that 
Interval often Days, become formidable; it 
extended along the fandy Ridge or Bluff, on 
which Savannah is built, from the Swamp be- 
low the Town to Yamacraw Creek, which is its 
upper Boundary. It confifted of a Chain of 
Redoubts with Batteries, the whole covered 
in Front by a ftrong Abbatis. The principal 
Battery appeared to be in the Centre of the 
Line, where flood, when we firft approached it, 
a large public Building of Brick, but which 
difappeared in one Night, and in a Day or two 
a formidable Battery was opened upon us from 



Appendix. 163 

its Site. The next Work in Importance was 
the Spring Hill Redoubt, which was on their 
extreme Right, and commanded Yamacraw 
Creek, at the Mouth whereof was ftationed a 
Britifh Galley. This Line was admirably- 
adapted to the Enemy's Force ; if it had been 
a clofed Line, their two thoufand five hundred 
Troops could not have manned the Whole, 
efpecially as they were obliged to have fome 
flight Works on each Flank, and to pay fome 
Attention to their Front on the River, as the 
French had fent fome fmall Veffels of War with 
a Bomb-ketch into the Back River, which is 
only feparated from the main Channel by an 
Ifland of Marfh. From the 23d September,' 
when our Army firft broke Ground, we con- 
tinued working in the Trenches with great 
Ailiduity. Our Batteries opened on the 5th of 
Odlober, but though well ferved, apparently 
with little Effed. The Sap continued to be 
pufhed forward until the 8th, when the Remon- 
ftrance of the Officers of the French Fleet 
againft their being detained longer on the Coaft, 
induced Count D'Eftaing to inform General 

> I kept no Memorandum of the Dates, but have referred to 
Gen. Moultrie's Memoirs for them. 



1 64 Appendix. 

Lincoln that he muft withdraw his Force; but 
to prove his Defire to ferve the Caufe, he of- 
fered to cooperate in an Aflault upon the 
Britifh Lines. This appears to have been ac- 
cepted as the Pifaller^ and on that Day we were 
ordered to parade near the Left of the Line at 
I o'clock of the next Morning, where we were 
to be joined by the French, and to march to 
the Attack in the following Order: — The 
French Troops were to be divided into three 
Columns, the Americans into two, the Heads 
of which were to be pofted in a Line, with 
proper Intervals at the Edge of the Wood 
adjoining the open Space of five or fix hundred 
Yards between it and the Enerny's Line, and at 
4 o'clock in the Morning, a little before Day- 
light, the whole was, on a Signal being given, 
to rufh forward and attack the Redoubts and 
Batteries oppofed to their Front. The Ameri- 
can Column of the Right, which adjoined the 
French, were to be preceded by Pulafki, with 
his Cavalry and the Cavalry of South Carolina, 
and were to follow the French until they ap- 
proach the Edge of the Wood, when they were 
to break off and take their Pofition. This 
Column was compofed of the Light Infantry 



Appendix, 165 

under Col. Laurens, of the 2d Regiment of 
South Carolina, and the ift Battalion of Charles- 
ton Militia. The fecond American Column 
confifted of the ift and 5th South Carolina 
Regiments, commanded by Brigadier General 
M'Intofli of Georgia. A Corps of French 
Weft India Troops, under the Vifcompte de 
Noailles, the Artillery, and fome American 
Militia, formed the Referve under General 
Lincoln. 

"A faint Attack by the South Carolina Mi- 
litia and Georgians, under Brigadier General 
Huger, was ordered to be made on the Enemy's 
Left ; but, inftead of the French Troops being 
paraded fo as to march off at 4 o'clock, it was 
near four before the Head of that Column 
reached our Front. The whole Army then 
marched towards the Skirt of the Wood in one 
long Column, and as they approached, the open 
Space were to break off into the different 
Columns, as ordered for the Attack. But, by 
the Time the firft French Column had arrived 
at the open Space, the Day had fairly broke, 
when Count D'Eftaing, without waiting until 
the other Columns had arrived at their Pofttion, 
placed himfelf at the Head of his firft Column, 
X 



1 66 Appendix, 

and rufhed forward to the Attack. But this 
Body was fo feverely galled by the Grape- fhot 
from the Batteries as they advanced, and by 
both Grape-fhot and Mufketry when they 
reached the Abbatis, that, in fpite of the Effort 
of the Officers, the Column got into Confufion 
and broke away to their Left toward the Wood 
in that Diredion ; the fecond and the third 
French Columns ffiared fucceffively the fame 
Fate, having the additional Difcouragement of 
feeing as they marched to the Attack, the Re- 
pulfe and Lofs of their Comrades who had 
preceded them. Count Pulafki, who, with the 
Cavalry, preceded the right Column of the 
Americans, proceeded gallantly until flopped 
by the Abbatis, and before he could force 
through it, received his mortal Wound. In 
the mean Time, Colonel Laurens at the Head 
of the Light Infantry, followed by the 2d South 
Carolina Regiment, and ifl Battalion Charleflon 
Militia, attacked the Spring Hill Redoubt, got 
into the Ditch and planted the Colours of the 
2d Regiment on the Berm, but the Parapet was 
too high for them to fcale it under fo heavy a 
Fire, and after much Slaughter they were driven 
out of the Ditch. When General Pulafki was 



Appendix, 167 

about to be removed from the Field, Colonel 
D. Horry, to whom the Command of the Ca- 
valry devolved, afked what were his Dire6tions. 
He anfwered, * follow my Lancers to whom I 
have given my order of Attack.' But the Lan- 
cers were fo feverely galled by the Enemy's 
Fire, that they alfo inclined off to the Left, 
and were followed by all the Cavalry, breaking 
through the American Column, who were at- 
tacking the Spring Hill Redoubt. By this 
Time the 2,d American Column headed by Gen. 
M'Intofh, to which I was attached, arrived at 
the Foot of the Spring Hill Redoubt, and fuch 
a Scene of Confufion as there appeared is not 
often equalled. Col. Laurens had been fepa- 
rated from that Part of his Command that had 
not entered the Spring Hill Ditch by the 
Cavalry, who had borne it before them into the 
Swamp to the Left, and when we marched up, 
inquired if we hadjeen them. Count D'Eftaing 
was wounded in the Arm, and endeavouring to 
rally his Men, a few of whom with a Drummer 
he had coUedted. General M'Intofh did not 
fpeak French, but defired me to inform the Com- 
mander-in-chief that his Column was frefh, and 
that he wiftied his Diredlions, where, under 



1 68 yjppendix. 

prefent Circumftances, he fhould make the At- 
tack. The Count ordered that we fhould move 
more to the Left, and by no Means to interfere 
with the Troops he was endeavouring to rally ; 
in purfuing this Direction we were thrown too 
much to the Left, and before we could reach 
Spring Hill Redoubt, we had to pafs through 
Yamacraw Swamp, then wet and boggy, with 
the Galley at the Mouth annoying our left Flank 
with Grape-fhot. While ftruggling through 
this Morafs, the firing flacked, and it was re- 
ported that the whole Army had retired. I was 
fent by General MTntofh to look out from the 
Spring Hill, where I found not an Afl'ailant 
flanding. On reporting this to the General, he 
ordered a Retreat, which was effedled without 
much Lofs, notwithftanding the heavy Fire of 
Grape-fhot with which we were followed. 

" The Lofs of both Armies in killed and 
wounded amounted to 637 French and 457 
Americans,' 1000.^ The Irifh Brigade in the 
French Service, and our id Regiment, particu- 
larly diftinguifhed themfelves and fuffered moft. 
The Lofs of the Britifh amounted only to fifty- 
five. 

• Moultrie. '-^ Mardiall. 



Appendix. 169 

" Thus was this fine Body of Troops facri- 
ficed by the Imprudence of the French General, 
who, being of fuperior Grade, commanded the 
Whole. If the French Troops had left their 
Encampment in Time for the different Corps 
to have reached their Pofitions, and the Whole 
attacked together, the Profped of Succefs would 
have been infinitely better, though even then it 
would have been very doubtful on Account of 
the Strength of the Enemy's Line, which was 
well fupplied by Artillery. But if Count D'Ef- 
taing had refleded a Moment, he muft have 
known, that attacking with a fingle Column 
before the Reft of the Army could have reached 
their Pofition, was expofing the Army to be 
beaten in Detail. In fad the Enemy, who were 
to be afiailed at once on a confiderable Part of 
their Front, finding themfelves only attacked at 
one Point, very deliberately concentrated their 
whole Fire on the afiailing Column, and that 
was repeated as faft as the different Corps were 
brought up to the Attack. General Lincoln 
had the Command of the Referve and covered 
the Retreat; if he had led the Attack, I think 
the Event could not have been fo difaftrous, 
and I am warranted in this Opinion by the At- 



I JO Appendix. 

tack he made on the Enemy's Lines at Stono, 
where, when he found how ftrongly the Enemy 
were entrenched, although his Light Infantry, 
on both Flanks, had gained fome Advantage, 
withdrew the Troops without any confiderable 
Lofs. 

" The Similarity in the Refult of this Attack 
on Savannah, and that of the BrJtifli on New 
Orleans in 1815, is remarkable; the Lofles of 
the Aflailants and their Enemies was nearly in 
equal Proportion. Neither can Packenham ef- 
cape the Cenfure of Precipitation, in urging 
the Attack when he knew the fcaling Ladders 
he had ordered were not brought up, and before 
Colonel Thornton had got PofTeffion of our 
Batteries on the Weft Side of the River, which, 
if brought to bear on the right Flank of the 
American Line, muft have made an important 
Diverfion in Favour of his Attack." — Garden's 
Anecdotes of the American Revolution^ Brooklyn 
Ed., 1865, iii, 19. 



Appendix, 171 

French Account of D'EJiaing's Attempt 
upon Savannah in Georgia. 

[From the Paris Gazette of Jan. 7, 1780.] 

Summary of the Operations of the Kings Squadron 
commanded by the Count D' EJlaing^ Vice Adtniral 
of France y after the taking of Grenada, and the 
Naval Engagement off that IJland with Byron s 
Squadron. 

A DETACHMENT of the King's Ships 
and Frigates, under the Orders of Cap- 
tain de Suffren, went to make the Iflands of 
Curiacou and Union Capitulate, and received 
the Oath of Allegiance of the Inhabitants. 
The Sieur Montet, Govertior of the Ifland of 
St. Vincent, performed the fame Operation in 
the Iflands of Becouya ; the Surrender of the 
other little Grenadines followed immediately 
that of the principal Iflands. 

The 22d of July, the King's Squadron ap- 
peared before St. Chriftopher's, where the Eng- 
lifli Squadron was at Anchor under the Batteries 
in the Road. The Englifli Admiral did not 
think proper to accept the Battle. 

After remaining two Days before St. Chrifto- 
pher's, the King's Squadron failed for St. 



172 Appendix. 

Domingo with the trading Fleet of the French 
Windward Iflands. The Count D'Eftaing dif- 
patched all thefe Ships to Europe, which were 
joined by thofe of the Leeward Iflands, under 
the Protedion of the Ships le Prote^eur and la 
Fier, and the Frigates la Minerve and f Alemene. 

With the Remainder of his Squadron he 
fteered for the Coafts of the Continent of 
America. A Gale of Wind he met with the 
2d of September, whilft at Anchor before the 
Mouth of Savannah, prevented his going up 
more Northward. Moft of his Ships were 
difabled, and five of them had their Rudders 
broken. 

The Repair of the King's Ships required a 
confiderable Time in a Country where naval 
Stores are hard to be come at. Tr.at Circum- 
ftance decided the Count d'Eftaing to undertake 
the Siege of Savannah with the Troops he had 
on board his Ships, which were joined by 2,000 
Men from the United States of North America, 
under the Command of General Lincoln. 

The French Troops confifted of 2,823 Eu- 
ropeans, draughted from the Regiments of 
Armagnac, Champagne, Auxerrois, Agenois, 
Garinois, Cambrefis, Haynault, Foix, Dillon, 
Walfh, le Cap, la Gaudeloupe, la Martinique 



Appendix. 173 

and Port au Prince, including a Detachment of 
the Royal Corps of Infantry of the Marine, 
the Volunteers of Vallelle, the Dragoons, and 
156 Volunteer Grenadiers, lately raifed at Cape 
Fran9ois. The coloured Troops confifted of 
545 Volunteer ChafTeurs, Mulattoes and Ne- 
groes, newly raifed at St. Domingo. 

The Total of the Troops of the Befiegers, 
including the 2,000 Americans, amounted to 
5,524 Men. 

The Englifh had in Savannah 3,055 Englifh 
European Troops, 80 Cherokee Savages, and 
4,000 Negroes. The Total of the Troops of 
the Befieged was 7,165 Men, under the Com- 
mand of General Prevoft. 

The 15th of September the Englifh General 
was fummoned to furrender the Place, and on 
his Refufal the Siege was begun. It was carried 
on with as much Vigour as the fmall Number 
of Workmen would admit of The Enemy 
made a Sally the 24th of September, and were 
repulfed with Lofs, and the Sieur O'Dun pur- 
fued them as far as their Intrenchments. The 
Impoffibility of continuing a Siege in Form 
againft fuperior Forces, decided the Count 
d'Eftaing to order the Attack on the Entrench- 
ments the 9th of Odober. The Enemy, being 
Y 



174 Appendix. 

informed by Deferters of the Plan of the At- 
tack, had prepared their Defence on the Side 
intended to be furprifed. 

The French and American Troops attacked 
with the greateft Vigour, and returned three 
Times to the Charge ; but the Superiority of 
Numbers forced them to give Way. 

The Seafon was too far advanced for the 
Count d'Eftaing to hope he could terminate 
the Operations of a Siege ; he was afraid left 
one of thofe Gales, fo frequent on the Coaft of 
Georgia, fhould drive his Ships out of the 
Road, and oblige him to put to Sea, in Order 
to fave them, and thus abandon the Troops 
employed in the Expedition. He refolved to 
raife the Siege. The Retreat was made in the 
beft Order, and without being molefted. 

The King's Troops reembarked the 20th of 
Odober; only two Days after the Rudders of 
the Ships could be repaired and placed. 

The greateft Union has fubfifted between the 
combined Forces. 

The Count de Dillon, the Vifcount de 
Noailles, the Marquis de Pont de Naux, the 
Baron de Steding, the Vifcount de Fontages, 
Colonel and the Sieur O'Dun, Lieutenant Colo- 



Appendix. 175 

nel, particularly diftinguifhed themfelves in an 
Operation, as painful by the Fatigues of a Ser- 
vice rendered continual by the fmall Number of 
Men, as it was glorious for them, by the Dan- 
gers to which they were perpetually expofed, 
and by the different Manoeuvres with which 
they were charged. 

The Chevalier de Trolong du Romain, and 
the Count de Chaftenet de Puyfegur, have 
proved, by conducting the King's Lighter la 
'Truite, under the very Batteries of the Town of 
Savannah, that an armed Sloop, laden with 
Artillery of the Calibre of 12, too ftrong for 
its Pattern, could back itfelf againft land Bat- 
teries of the largeft Calibre. 

Total of the Killed, 15 Officers, and 168 
Subalterns and Soldiers. 

Total of the Wounded, 43 Officers, and 411 
Subalterns and Soldiers. — New Jerjey Journal^ 
ii, Ixxi, June 21, 1780. 



Count Pulajki. 

AMONG the Loffes of the Allies before 
Savannah, none was more feverely felt 
than that of Count Cafimir Pulalki. De- 



176 Appendix. 

fcended from a noble Houfe in Poland, and 
reared in the Love of Liberty, he had long 
contended againft the Tyranny that was crufhing 
his native Country ; and when Refiftance was 
no longer of avail, he fled to Turkey in the 
Hope of continuing the Conteft againfl: Ruffia, 
but a Peace in 1774 put an End to this, and he 
came to offer his Services to America. 

His adive and ardent martial Spirit com- 
mended him to the Favor of Wafliington ; 
and, having ferved without Rank as a Volun- 
teer with much Succefs at the Battle of Brandy- 
wine, was appointed by Congrefs, September 
5th, 1777, to the Command of a Troop of 
Horfe, with the Rank of Brigadier. In 1778 
he was authorized to raife an independent Corps, 
compofed of three Companies of Cavalry and 
three of Foot, which received the Name of 
" Pulafki's Legion." While this was being 
organized, he was fl:ationed at Bethlehem, Pa. ; 
and the Protedion he afforded to the Female 
Members of the Moravian Community at that 
Place was rewarded by the Prefentation of a 
beautiful Silk Banner, tafl:efully embroidered ; 
and which, after being faved at the Battle of 
Savannah, was brought North, and finally was 
depofited with the Maryland Hifliorical Society. 



Appendix, 177 

Confliding Accounts have come down to us 
relating to the Place of General Pulafki's Place of 
Burial ; and when the noble Monument to his 
Memory was ereded at Savannah, a metallic 
Cafe, holding what were fuppofed to be his 
mortal Remains, was placed within the Plinth, 
alongfide of the Corner Stone. The Weight of 
Evidence, however, decides in the Belief, that 
he died on Board the Wajp^ and was buried 
under Water, on the Return of the Army to 
Charlefton. The Subjed: is fully ftated in Prof. 
Stevens's Hijlory of Georgia, from which Work 
this Notice is abridged. 

Upon the Vifit of the Marquis de La Fayette 
to Savannah, in 1825, the Corner Stone was laid 
for a Monument to Count Pulafki, on Chippe- 
way Square, and another to General Greene on 
Pulafki Square. 

An Attempt was made to raife the Funds for 
this Objed:, but failed, as did alfo an Effort to 
combine the two Enterprifes in a "Greene and 
Pulafki Monument," although a confiderable 
Sum was raifed by Lottery for this Purpofe. On 
the nth of 06lober, 1853, the Corner Stone of 
another Monument to Pulaiki was laid, and 
the Stru6lure was finifhed at about the Begin- 
ning of the late Rebellion. 



178 



Appendix. 



An Engraving, reprefenting the Pulafki Mon- 
ument, and a full Defcription, and Account of 
laying the Corner Stone, are given in White's 
Hijiory of Georgia^ P. 308. 



A%|ffc 





IN D E X . 



A CTION, naval, 103. 
-^~^ Agnois, 145, 172. 
Alemene, 1', Ship, 172. 
Alert, Ship, 95, 145. 
Amazon Frigate, 50, 144, 145, 

157, 158. 
American Account of Siege ot 

Savannah, 157. 
Andre, Major, Allufion to, 1 17. 
Anhalt Regiment, 95. 
Annibal, Ship, 94, 144. 
Antigua, News from, 51. 
Appeal, Burlefque, to People of 

United States, 105, 106. 
Appendix, 127. 
Appomattox River, 104. 
Ariel, Ship, 52, 144. 
Armagnac Regiment, 145, 172. 
Artefien, Ship, 94, 144. 
Aflault of Savannah, 27, 86, 

141, 154, 164, 165, 166, 

173- 
Afleeba Sound, 160. -, 
Aiixerois Regiment, 95, 172. 

OACK River, 34, 35, 44, 
-'-' 68, 69, 70, -](), 141, 163. 
Bailey, Lieutenant, 146. 
Baird, Sir James, 8, 13, 14. 
Banner prefented to Pulafki, 176. 



Barclay, Andrew, Efq., 52. 
Barrington, Ship, 95. 
Beaufort, 18, 31, 32, 47, 55, 

61, 63, 1 14, 158, 160. 
Becouya, Iflands of, 171. 
Bendelo, Captain, 147. 
Bentolofa, Mons., 70. 
Bentalon, Captain, 41. 
Beraud, Captain, 146. 
Bertrand, Count, 132. 
Bethlehem, Pa., 176. 
Bewlie, 32, 34, 136; French 

land at, 29. 
Black Brigade, 45. 
Blance, Ship, 50, 145. 
Blonde, Ship, 52. 
Blondeule, Ship, 95. 
Boats, Delay from Want of, 

150. 
Bombardment, Extent of, 50. 
Bordeaux, Ship, 145. 
Bougainville, Mons., 54, 144. 
Bowie, Captain, 147. 
Bram Regiment, 145. 
Brewton's Hill, 45. 
Bricoli, Ship, 145. 
Britiili Legion, 59. 
Brown, Captain, 24, 54, 81. 
Brown, Lieut. Colonel, 59. 
Bruneau, Lieutenant, 147. 



i8o 



Index. 



Burial of Dead, 74. 

Burlefque Appeal to People of 
United States, by Congrefs, 
105, 106; Letter on the 
Failure of the French at Sa- 
vannah, 95, 96. 

Burial of Dead, 86. 

Bufli, Lieutenant, 40. 

Byron, Admiral, 53, 54. 

/^^SAR, Ship, 94, 144. 
^^ Callibogue, 143. 
Cambray, Colonel, 158. 
Cambrefis Regiment, 172. 
Cameron, Captain, 8, 10. 
Campbell, Col. Archibald, 7, 

II, 13, 14. 
Campbell, Captain Patrick, 50. 
Campbell, Lieutenant Smollett, 

Cape Francois, 19, 26, 173; 
Troops from, 95, 145, 172. 

Carolina Militia retire, 45. 

Carolina Redoubt, 85. 

Cartels, 47, 102. 

Caflcet, Loudon's noticed, 117. 

Cailon's Bluft", 34, 46. 

Ceres, Ship, 95, 145. 

Chamblis, Chev. de, 132. 

Champagne Regiment, 172. 

Champion, ftore Ship, 144, 
146. 

Charlefton, Condition of, in 
1779, 16; attacked in 1779, 
17; Allufions to, 121, 123, 
124; Militia, 165; Ameri- 
cans return to, 76. 

Cherokee Hill, 187. 

Cherokee Indians, 173. 

Chefapeak Bay, 23. 



Chefapcak, Veflels fail for, 49, 

100, 101 . 
Chrillian, Captain, 50, 143. 
Chimere, la. Ship, 145. 
Clarke, Lieutenant of the 

Navy, 8. 
Clinton, Sir Henry, 7. 
Cockfpur, 47, 58, 61. 
Cohorns, 35. 
Colored Regiment of the Cape, 

95' 173- 
Colors, brave Adl in fecuring, 

40. 

Comet, Gaily, 9, 27, 32, 58, 
^ 59, 60, 61, 6-j, 137, 141. 

Congrefs, Letter to, 149; fe- 
cret Proceedings, 140; bur- 
lefque Appeal of, 105, 106. 

Correfpondence between D'Ef- 
taing and General Prevolt, 

I27_. 

Council ot War held, 31. 
Court of Inquiry exonerates 

General Howe, 15. 
Cozens, Captain, 148. 
Crawford, Sloop, 50, 60. 
Cruger, Lieut. Colonel, 39, 64. 
Curiacou, 171. 
Curry, John, Defcrtcr, 37. 

rjASUSKEE, 31, 32. 

^^^ Dauphin Royal, Ship, 94, 

Davis, Captain, 147. 

De Chaftenet de Puyfegen, 
Count de, 175. 

D'Eifaing, Charles Heftor, 
Comte, 18, 80; Fleet of, 
19; demands Surrender of 
Savannah, 20,29, '3^- ^P" 



hidex. 



i8i 



pears before Savannah, 25, 
57, 82, 149; demands Sur- 
render, and grants Delay, 30, 
62, 82, 161, 162 ; com- 
mences Siege, 33; AfTault 
by, 38, 86, 141, 165, 167, 
173; wounded, 41, 81 ; Er- 
rors of, 47, 96, 158; Un- 
certainty of his Movements, 
48, 56; eftcftive Force of, 
53 ; Enghfli Reports con- 
cerning, 54 ; biographical 
Notice of, 62 ; Summons of, 
89 ; Correfpondence with 
Gen. Prevort, 91, 92; bur- 
lefque Letter concerning, 96 ; 
Movements of Fleet of, 100, 
101, 102; Correfpondence 
of, continued, 127 ; fincerely 
defired Succcfs, 162. 

De Graffe, Mons , 56. 

Delancey's Battalion, 10, 35, 
59, 60, 148, 152, 153. 

Delancey, Mrs., Verfes attri- 
buted to, 1 12. 

De Montange, Gen., wounded, 
22. 

Deferters, 45, 65, 71, 75, 

Deffaufure, Lieutenant, 147. 

Diademe, Ship, 145. 

Dillon, Count Arthur, 97, 172, 
174 ; Notice of, 132. 

Dillon, Sir James, 132. 

Dillon Regiment, 95, 132, 145, 
172. 

Dolly Quamino, a Negro, 13. 

Donations for Garrifon of Sa- 
vannah, 124. 

Donnom, Capt. Lieut., 146. 



Drowning of French reported, 

pAST Florida, 52. 
^^ Ebenezer, 38, 40. 
Ebenezer Battery, 72, 73; 

Heights of, 150. 
Elbert, Colonel, 12. 
Elegy on Col. Maitland, 112. 
Elliott, Mrs., Colors prefented 

by, 40. 
Ellis, Ship, 95. 
Elphinftone, Brig, 25. 
Englifh Account of Siege of 

Savannah, 134; Return of 

Killed and Wounded, 147. 
Epitaph, poetical, for Colonel 

Maitland, 114. 
Errors of the Siege, 47, 96, 

158, 169. 
Etholm, Captain, 152, 153. 
Eulogy upon Col. Maitland, 

1 10. 
Experiment, Man-of-War, 52, 

145. 

■pAILURE of Allies ac- 
*• counted for, 99. 
Fantafque, Ship, 94, 144- 
Feint Attack, 165. 
Fendant, Ship, 94, 105, 

145. 
Fier, la, Ship, 50, 172, 
Five-Fathom-Hole, 44, 61,65, 

67, 77. 79' H°- 
Flag fent, 43, 67, 70, 74, 82, 

84, 86, 161. 
Fleur de la Mere, 95. 
Flyming's Ifland, 34. 
Foix Regiment, 145, 172. 



1 82 Indt 



ex. 



Fontanges, Vifcompte de, 157, General Mathews, Sloop, 26. 

160, 174. • Germain, Lord George, 115; 

Fontenoy, Regiment of, 132. Letter to, 7. 

Fort Pulafki, 47. Germain, armed Ship^ 58, 136, 
Fortune, Ship, 50, 145. 140. 

Fowey, Ship, 51, 58, 59, 60, Gerard, Mr., 149. 

61, 134, 136, 137, 140, Gerredeaux's Plantations, 9, 

146. 10. 

France, Ships return to, 53. Giles, Captain, 147. 

French Fleet in Weft Indies, Graham, John, Lieutenant Go- 

18. vernor, 35. 

French Fleet before Savannah, Graham, Major, 32, 33, 64. 

18, 57, 94, 172. Gray, Lieutenant, 147. 

French, Strength of, 80, 172. Greenwich, armed Sloop, 9. 

French, Fleet, EfFedives of, 53 ; Grenada, Capital of, 18, 29, 

Names of, 144; Troops de- 48, 50, 53, 90. 

coyed under Fire, 33; Lofs, Grenadiers, 59, 73, 88. 

81 ; Captain captured by Grenadines, 171. 

Stratagem, 152; Wounded Guerrier, Ship, 94, 144. 

fent off, 44; Boats faid to 

be funk, 57 ; Account of At- U A MILTON, Col , North 

tack on Savannah, 171. Carolina Loyalift, 39. 

Havanna, VelTels fail for, 100, 

/^ADSDEN, Captain, 158. Haynault Regiment, 172. 

^^^ Gaine, Mr, , receives Do- Hcdor, Ship, 94, 145. 

nations for Garrifon, 125. Henry, Captain John, 51,65, 
Gale encountered, 172. 14^5 Notice of, 134. 

Garden Bank, Veftels funk on, Heflians, 7, 1 1, 31, 33, 59, 60. 

34. Highland Regiment, 8. 

Garrinois Regiment, 172. Hilton Head, !02, 103. 

Garrifon of Savannah, Dona- Hogan, General, 105. 

tions for, 124. Hogin, Captain, 147. 

Gafton, Lieutenant, 147. Horry, Colonel, 41, 167. 

Gaudeloupe Regiment, 172. Hofpital, Britifh, 38. 

Gaudaloupe, Troops from, Howe, Lord, 62. 

145. Howe, General Robert, 7, 10, 
Georgia, early revolutionary 15, 16. 

Spirit of, 5; civil Govern- Huger, Colonel Ifaac, 12, 42. 

ment in, 17; Trade opened Huger, General, 39, 165. 

with, 114. Huger's Regiment, 1 1. 



Indi 



ex. 



183 



Hume, Lieutenant, 40. 
Hurricane Seafon, 48. 
Hutchinfon's Ifland, 70. 

TPHYGENIE, Ship, ^o, 
145. 

JASPER, Sergeant William, 
Bravery of, 40. 
Jafper, County named, 40. 
"Jonathan," Reception of, 83. 
Jones, Major, 146. 

TT'ENNEDY, Captain, 25. 
-*-^ KeppeI,armedBrig, 9, 58, 

59, 60, 61, 135, 137, 140. 
Killed and Wounded, Return 

of American, 146 ; Eng- 

li(h Return of, 147, 168 ; 

French, 175. 
Kincaid's Landing, 155. 
King's Rangers, 59. 
King's Speech in Parliament, 

156. 

T ANGREL, 86. 

-*-^ Languedoc, Ship, 94, 144, 

158. 
La Peroufe, the Navigator, 158. 
Laurens, Colonel, 40, 165, 166, 

167. 
Laurie, Mrs., Houfe of, burnt, 

36. . ^ 

Lee, Colonel, Account given by, 

152. 

Leeward Iflands, 172. 

Leflie, Major General, 52, 55. 

Letter, giving an Account of 
the Attack upon Savannah, 
80 : from Gentleman in 



Hofpiial, 80; from T. W. 
Moore, 82 ; from Count 
D'Eftaing, 89, 92, 1 28, 1 3 1 ; 
from Gen. Prevoft, 91, 127, 
130, 133; burlefque, from 
French Officer, 95, 96 ; with 
Criticifms upon Siege of Sa- 
vannah, 117; from Captain 
Henry, giving an Account of 
Siege, 135 ; from Gen. Lin- 
coln to Congrefs, 149. 

Lincoln, Gen. Benjamin, ap- 
pointed to command South- 
ern Department, 16; men- 
tioned, 17, 18, 19, 47, 65, 
86, 94, 98, 104, 122, 125, 
138, 149, 154, 155, 157' 
158, 161, 162, 165, 172 ; 
Notice of, 155. 

Lively, Ship, 95, 145. 

Livingfton, William, Letter to, 
117. 

Lloyd, Mrs., Houfe of, burnt, 
36. 

Locke, Lieutenant, 57, 135. 

London, VelTels fail for, 50. 

Lotteries, 177. 

Loudon's Cafket noticed, 117. 

Loyalilb, relative Numbers 
of, 6. 

Lys, Ship, 145. 

\/[cCARTNEY, Lord, 29, 
^ ^ 90. 

McDonoLigh, Captain, 27. 
McGillivray's Plantation, 45. 
Mclntofli, Angus, 55. 
Mclntofli, Eneas, 55. 
Mclntofli, General, 42, 55, 
86,93, 146, 151' 167. 



i84 



Index. 



McKinzie, Captain, 52. 
McPherfon, Lieutenant Henry, 

66, 148. 
Magnifique, Ship, 26, 54, 94, 

144. 
Maitland, Lieut. Colonel John, 

23. 24. 31. 35. 38, 39' 61, 
63' 83, 99, 136, 137, 158, 
159; Epitaph on, 114; Eu- 
logy upon, I 10 ; Verfes on 
Death of, 112; Reply of 
Spirit of, 113. 

Marines, Corps of, 95, 173. 

Marfellois, Ship, 94, 144. 

Martinique Regiment, 172. 

Martinico Volunteers, 51, 95, 
145. 

Meadows, General, 49. 

Mills, Captain John, 33. 

Minerve, la. Ship, 172. 

Molefworth, W., 115. 

MoncriefFe, Capt. George, 28, 

55' 139- 
" Monfieur," Reception of, 83. 

Montet, Sieur, 171. 

Monument to Pulafki, 177. 

Moore, T. VV., Letter from, 82. 

Moravians prefent Banner to 

Pulafki, 176. 

Mott, Charles, 87. 

Moultrie, General, 163. 

Mud Flat, 140. 

Mulatto Troops, 53. 

Mulryne, Col. John, 45. 

Myrtle, Ship, 143, 144. 

XTAPOLEON, at St. He- 
^ lena, 132, 

Negroes employed on Fortifi- 
cations, 28. 



New Orleans, Comparifon 

with, 170. 
New Providence, 102. 
New York, Expeditions fent 

from, 7. 
New York Volunteers (Loy- 

alifts), 9, 10, 14, 60, 63. 
New York, Sloop for, 50. 
North Channel, Sounding of, 

57' 60. 
Noailles, Vifcompte, 52, 54, 

165, 174. 

r^'DUN, Sieur, 173, 174. 
^^ Ogeeche River, 78, 151. 

Order Book of Gen. Prevoft, 
60. 

Orders iiTued on Appearance 
of the French before Sa- 
vannah, 59; during Siege, 
64. 

OfTabaw, 51. 

pANIC reported among 

French, 53. 
Parker, Commodore, 8. 
Parker, Lieutenant, 147. 
Parfons, Captain, 147. 
Partizan Warfare, Bitternefs 

of, 6. 
Petre, Lieutenant, 147. 
Pinckney, Thomas, 157. 
Plombard, M., French Con- 

ful, 19, 149. 
Polhill, Captain, 39. 
Pollard, Enfign, 34, 87, 148. 
Pont de Naux, Marquis de, 

174. 
Port au Prince, 173 ; Troops 

from, 145. 



Index. 



185 



Port Royal, Poft eftablifhed 
at, 18 ; noticed, 19, 47, 

136, 137- 

Prevoft, Gen. Auguftine, No- 
tice of, 17; notified of Ap- 
proach of French Fleet, 19; 
delays Operations, 20 ; Cor- 
refpondence with, 89, 91, 
127; noticed, 17, 29, 30, 
50, 55, 82, 136, 159, 173. 

Prifoners, 67, 69, 102. 

Proclamation of Lord Germain 
noticed, 116; Thankfgiving, 

51- 

Protefteur, le, Ship, 172. 

Provence, Ship, 94, 144, 

Provincial Troops (Loyal- 
ills), 7.^ 

Pulafki, Count, wounded, 22, 
4^; 75, 81, 147, 151, 155, 
i6|, 166; Notice of, 175 ; 
Burial of, 177; Monument, 
177. 

Pulafki's Legion, 176. 

T> APPAHANNOCK River, 
-*-^ 105. 

Recole, Ship, 94. 

Redoubts erefted, 28, 

Reflechi, Ship, 94, 145. 

Revenue Regulations with 
Georgia, 1 14. 

Rhode Ifland, 95. 

River Dan, 10. 

Rivington, Mr., receives Do- 
nations for Garrifon, 125. 

Robinfon, John, 1 16. 

Robufte, Ship, 94, 144. 

Roderique, ftore Ship, 145. 

Rofe, Man-of-War, 24, 34, 



58,63,65,67, 69,81, 135, 
136, I37> 139; ^""l^. 139. 

143- 
Roux, Captain, 147. 
Royal, le. Ship, 145. 
Royal Roufillon Regiment, 145. 
Rutledgc, Galley, 143. 
Rutledgc, Governor, 18. 

C AGITAIRE, Ship, 94, 103, 
104, 144. 

St. Auguftine, 17, 27, 51, 52. 

St. Chriftophers, 171. 

St. Domingo, 172, 173. 

St. Helena, Poft eftablifhed at, 
18. 

St. Lucia captured, 18. 

St. Vincent, 48, 171. 

Salter's Ifland, 32. 

Savannah attacked, 7 ; Britifli 
official Account of its Cap- 
ture, 7 ; Lofles at, 15; com- 
bined Attack to recover 
agreed upon, 1 9 ; Siege of, 
21, 64, 83; Attack repulfed 
22 ; Size of City, 23 ; eva- 
cuated by the Britifh Army 
24; Advices from, 25; Sur 
render demanded, 29; De- 
lay afked and granted, 30 
Refolve to defend, 31 ; Col 
Maitland arrives, 31; Pro 
grefs of Siege, 33-38; At- 
tack by French, 38 ; re- 
pulfed, 40 ; Cafualties, 43, 
54; Siege raifed, 46; Port 
open, 47; Stevens's Review 
of Siege, 47; Thankfgiving 
for Viftory, 51; Addition 
to Journal of Siege, 52; 



1 86 Indt 



ex. 



another Journal of Siege, 57; Steding, Baron de, 174. 

Letter, giving an Account Steel, John, 143. 

of, 80, 82; burlefque Let- Stephens, Mr., 134. 

ter concerning, 96; Reafons Stevens's Account of the Af- 
of Failure of Allies at, 99; fault at Savannah, 41 ; Re- 

Journal of Sir James Wal- view of Siege, 47. 

lace, 102; Correfpondence Stratagem of Col. White, 151. 

relative to Surrender, 127; Stone, 170. 

Capt. Henry's Account of Stuart, Captain, 59. 

Siege of, 134 ; Gen. Lin- Summons of D'Eftaing to fur- 
coin's Account of Siege of, render, 89, 161, 162. 
149; American Account of, 

157. npALLEMACH, Captain, 

Savannah River, a Frontier, 17; 39. 

Savannah, Ship, 27, 32, 58; Tanar, Captain, 147. 

burnt, 65. Tattnall's Plantation, 11, 12, 

Scott, General, 102, 104. 159, 60. 

Secret Proceedings of Congrefs, Tawfe, Lieut. Thomas, killed, 
149. ^ _ 39, 43, 73, 81, 148. 

Shakefpearc's Prince, quoted, Teft't, J. K., 60. 

119. Tempeftuous Weather, 21, 22, 

Shaw, Captain, 50. 48, 174. 

Sheldon, Gen. Lincoln retires Thankfgiving, Burlefque of, 
to, 18. 109. 

Shepherd, Captain, 146. Thompfon, Mrs., 35. 

Sheriff, Major, 52. Thompfon's Regiment, 11. 

Simpfon, Capt. John, killed, Thornton, Colonel, 170. 

37, 148. Three Friends, Brig, 17, 50. 

Skinner's Battalion, 60. Thunderbolt. 34. 

Smith, Captain, 147. Thunderer, Galley, 32, 67, 

Snake, Half-galley, 143. 68, 69. 

Sortie, 66, 173. Tonant, Ship, 94, 145. 

Soundings, 57, 60. Trade opened with Georgia, 

South Channel, 60. 114. 

Southern Colonies not invaded Triumph, Ship, 94. 

in the early Part of the Trolong du Remain, 175. 

War, 5. Truce afked, 48, 130; granted. 

Sphinx, Ship, 26, 94, 145. 131. 

Spring Battery, 39, 41, 42, Truite, Frigate, 34, 44, 52, 95, 
162, 166, 167, 168. 173. 



Index. 



187 



Trumbull, Colonel, 14. 
Truftee's Garden, 33. 
Two Sifters, 46. 
Tybee, 8, 26, 27, 46, 47, 58, 

59,60, 135, 136, 143, 159. 
Tybee Fort, 58; abandoned 

and burnt, 59. 
Tybee Light-houfe, 57, 58. 

T JNIONIfland, 171. 

T/'AILLANT, Ship, 54, 94, 

144. 
Vengeur, Ship, 94, 144. 
Venus, Tranfport, 32 ; burnt, 

65. 
Verfes on Death of Col. Mait- 

land, 112. 
Veflels funk in Savannah River, 

20, 65. 
Vigilant, Ship, 31, 50, 134, 

136, 143. 
Viper, Galley, 143. 
Vleland, Lieutenant, 147. 
Volunteer Chaffeurs, 173. 

VyALKER, Lieutenant, 

147. 
Wallace, Captain, 39. 
Wallace, Sir James, 52, 102, 

104, 139. 
Wallace, Lieut. James, 43. 
Wall's Cut, 137. 
Walfh, 172. 
Walton, Col. George, 14. 



Wandel, Lieutenant, 147. 

Warren, Captain, 147. 

Wafhington, General, Letter 
to, noticed, 149; inftrufted 
to aft with the French, 49. 

Waftaw, 27. 

Wellworth Regiment, 11. 

Weft Indies, 98. 

White, John, Exploit of, 151, 
152. 

White Vefter Bank, 58. 

Whitworth, Lieutenant, 56, 

135- 
Wilkie, Lieutenant, 147. 

Williamfon, Gen. Andrew, 39, 

146. 
Wilmington River, 8. 
Wife, Major, 146. 
Wiftenbach Regiment, 11, 59. 
Women and Children, Pro- 

teftion afked for, 92, 93. 
Woodford, General, 104. 
Wounded landed in Chefapeak 

Bay, 1 01. 
Wright, Sir James, 28, 35, 78, 

102; Plantation of, 11, 12. 
Wright, Major, Corps of,- 59; 

Redoubt of, 37, 39. 

Y'AMACRAW, 69, 140, 
162, 163, 168. 

yELE, Ship, 94, 144. 
'-^ Zubly, Rev. John J., 45. 
Zubly's Ferry, 22, 150, 152. 



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